Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh Project Support

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is requesting quotes for Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh Project Support via Documented Quote (DQ1 QAAA 2027-0019), with quotes due August 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses receive an additional 3% scoring consideration.

The scope spans statewide Colorado. The selected vendor will serve as project backbone for redesigning Colorado Shines (the state's quality rating and improvement system) into a single, efficient quality improvement system inclusive of Colorado Universal Preschool providers. Core deliverables include maintaining a comprehensive master project schedule integrating CDEC internal milestones with external timelines; designing and facilitating a minimum of five targeted stakeholder engagement sessions (reaching licensed center-based and family child care providers, early childhood educators, Early Childhood Councils, families, and rural/frontier representatives); developing a project management plan; conducting comparative analysis of at least five states with continuous quality improvement models; providing technical analysis on professional qualification frameworks and observation tool integration; performing economic impact modeling on proposed changes; and establishing a comprehensive five-year quality plan with implementation timelines, pilot frameworks with geographic diversity requirements, transition roadmaps, and evaluation metrics with Key Performance Indicators. Work is expected to be conducted primarily virtually, though vendors may propose in-person meetings where appropriate. CDEC is open to supporting sessions in multiple languages, including English and Spanish with simultaneous interpretation.

The contract period runs from purchase order execution through June 30, 2027, with potential renewal for up to five years or until maximum Documented Quote funding is utilized, contingent on appropriations and budget availability. No incumbent is currently engaged in QIS Refresh Support work. The maximum allowable budget per contractor is $50,000; CDEC declines to disclose a specific budget range or ceiling, requesting vendors submit competitive bids. The de minimis indirect cost rate is 15%, though vendors with separate federally or state-negotiated rates may apply those rates or elect lower rates. Cost is the primary evaluation factor, with preference given to organizations demonstrating experience redesigning a QRIS, working with Colorado's technical assistance systems, and integrating state and federal early childhood requirements.

The proposal narrative is limited to 10 pages, excluding the signature page, Statement of Work (Exhibit A), Budget Template (Exhibit B), and references. Vendors must submit electronically via BidNet Direct and be registered with CORE and SAM.gov prior to contract execution. An inquiry deadline of July 29, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. and answers posted by July 31, 2026, have passed. No pre-bid conference will be held. Upon contract award, CDEC will provide selected vendors with interest holder feedback summaries, landscape analysis, and cost analyses for Colorado Shines at purchase order execution.