Policy, Funding, and Systems Integration

The Maryland State Department of Education is requesting quotations for policy, funding, and systems integration services supporting early childhood education and childcare systems alignment, with bids due July 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM through the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage portal. Small, minority, and veteran-owned businesses are encouraged to respond; no set-asides or preferences are mandated.

The scope encompasses a comprehensive fiscal landscape analysis mapping state and federal funding streams (childcare, Pre-K, Preschool Development Grant, Blueprint for Maryland's Future, and CCDF); identification of braiding and blending opportunities; strategic fiscal recommendations for policy and funding integration; facilitation of working sessions with MSDE staff and stakeholders; and delivery of options analyses, fiscal models, briefing decks, and ongoing advisory support for leadership decision-making. The estimated engagement is 800 hours of work, though bidders may propose alternative hour allocations. Work may be performed virtually or in-person at MSDE's Nancy S. Grasmick Building in Baltimore.

Six mandatory qualifications must be met collectively across the proposed team: proven experience conducting fiscal landscape analyses; expertise in early childhood policy and public finance; a track record of producing strategic fiscal recommendations; experience facilitating stakeholder collaboration; capability in producing implementation-oriented deliverables; and sufficient staffing and project management capacity. Proposals may be submitted by a single consultant or by a team of multiple individuals; resumes are required for all substantive contributors. A blended average hourly rate across team members is permissible provided it reflects actual billing.

The maximum contract value is $100,000. Monthly billing will be applied based on work performed the previous month. The contract term runs from on or about July 24, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Award will be made to the responsive and responsible bidder offering the most favorable bid price; if bids are identical, the bidder with the most experience will be selected. Questions were due July 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Addendum 1 clarified scope and team flexibility and was posted July 21, 2026. Submissions must include a letter of interest, resume, signed bid form with final costs, and an updated W-9 if applicable.