Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh Project Support

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is soliciting proposals via Documented Quote for Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh Project Support with quotes due August 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time, and inquiries due July 29, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses receive a 3 percent scoring preference and must provide U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs certification documentation.

The vendor will provide backbone support for the redesign of Colorado Shines, the state's quality rating and improvement system for licensed early care and learning programs serving children from birth to age five, with statewide service delivery. Core deliverables include strategic project management and coordination; execution of a minimum of five facilitated feedback sessions with diverse stakeholder groups including center-based providers, family child care home providers, educators, Early Childhood Councils representatives, families, and rural community representatives; comparative analysis of at least five states with continuous quality improvement or alternative rating models; technical analysis of professional qualification frameworks and observation tools such as CLASS and ERS; economic impact modeling; and development of a five-year quality plan with implementation timelines, pilot framework details, and evaluation metrics.

The maximum budget is $50,000 for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Cost-reimbursement terms apply with a de minimis indirect cost rate of 15 percent. The initial contract term runs through June 30, 2027, with renewal possible for additional terms not to exceed five years or until maximum DQ funding is utilized, at the State's sole discretion. Anticipated start date is upon execution of a purchase order or contract.

Vendors must submit responses electronically via BidNet Direct, including a completed Statement of Work, Budget Template with one-paragraph narrative, professional references, and staff resumes or job descriptions. Quoted prices must be firm for a minimum of 180 calendar days from award. All quoted prices must not exceed ten pages excluding required attachments. The State will evaluate quotes based on completeness, cost-effectiveness, vendor responsibility, and past performance, with cost as the primary determining factor. Vendors must be registered with BidNet Direct, CORE, and SAM.gov before award and must comply with Colorado accessibility standards and state purchase order terms and conditions. No pre-quote conference will be held.