Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh Project Support

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is requesting proposals for Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh Project Support via Documented Quote (DQ) solicitation, with proposals due August 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) that submit certification documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs receive an additional 3 percent toward their overall final score.

The scope encompasses redesigning Colorado Shines, the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), into a unified quality improvement system integrating Colorado Universal Preschool providers. The vendor will serve as the primary administrative and strategic backbone from purchase order execution through June 30, 2027, with potential renewal for additional terms not to exceed five years or until maximum DQ funding utilization. Core deliverables include project management and timeline maintenance, a minimum of five targeted stakeholder engagement sessions (conducted virtually or in-person) across licensed center-based providers, family child care home providers, early childhood educators, Early Childhood Councils, families, and rural/mountain/frontier community representatives; comparative analysis of at least five other states' continuous quality improvement models; analytical support on professional qualification frameworks and observation tools; alignment assessment with CCDF, Head Start, Universal Preschool, and CCCAP; economic impact modeling; and recommendations for a phased five-year quality plan including implementation timelines, transition roadmaps with change management communication plans, pilot frameworks with geographic diversity requirements, and evaluation metrics with Key Performance Indicators.

The vendor must propose cost on a fixed-price basis using the provided Budget Template with a maximum 15 percent de minimis indirect cost rate (or documented federal or state-negotiated rate). Cost-effectiveness and reasonableness relative to scope of work constitute the primary evaluation factors. The proposal narrative is limited to 10 pages excluding Statement of Work, Budget, signature page, and references. Vendors must submit resumes or job descriptions of key personnel and professional references from organizations served within the last five years. Questions were due July 29, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time, with answers posted by July 31, 2026. Vendors must be registered with BidNet Direct, CORE, and SAM.gov prior to submission and award. No incumbent contractor currently holds this work.