Outreach, client assistance, and case management for child care subsidies in construction

The State of Oregon, through the Department of Administrative Services on behalf of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) under ORS 279B.060 for professional services focused on child care subsidies in the construction industry. The primary objectives include providing comprehensive outreach, application support, and case management for construction apprentices and eligible journey workers to make child care more affordable and support workforce development. Potential vendors must demonstrate expertise in client assistance, case management, and understanding of workforce development challenges specific to the construction sector. The RFP was posted on February 24, 2025, with proposals due by March 31, 2025, indicating a procurement timeline of approximately 35 days. Key deliverables are expected to include client engagement strategies, application processing, ongoing case management, and support mechanisms that help construction workers maintain employment while managing child care responsibilities. Evaluation criteria will likely assess vendor capabilities, proposed methodologies, past performance, and ability to effectively serve the target population of construction industry workers seeking child care subsidies.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or strict limitations on respondent types, suggesting the opportunity is open to a broad range of qualified professional services firms and nonprofit organizations with relevant workforce and child care support expertise. While specific budget ranges are not detailed in the provided materials, the RFP includes a sample cost proposal attachment (AttachmentD_SampleCostProposal for CHIPS RFP.xlsx) that vendors can use as a template for developing their financial submissions. Potential respondents should carefully review the attached documents, including the sample contract (AttachmentA_Sample Contract_CHIPS Child Care.docx) and the comprehensive RFP document (RFP CHIPS Child Care.docx), to understand the full scope of requirements. The procurement appears designed to support Oregon's workforce development goals by addressing child care barriers for construction industry workers, with an emphasis on maintaining employment and supporting career progression. Vendors should be prepared to demonstrate their capacity to provide targeted, effective support services that directly impact workforce retention and development in the construction sector.