Recruit and Train Early Childcare Providers

Episcopal Children's Services (ECS), serving 14 counties in Northeast and Central Florida, is seeking a vendor to recruit and train early childcare providers through a Request for Proposal (RFP) focused on the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida. The primary objective is to recruit a minimum of 20 new childcare programs, with a specific emphasis on Family Child Care Homes in Baker, Bradford, Nassau, and Putnam Counties where child care shortages are most critical. The selected contractor will be responsible for comprehensive recruitment and community outreach, assisting potential providers with licensing and compliance processes, and providing professional development support for up to two years. Additionally, the vendor must offer technology supports, including child care management software. The proposal submission deadline is November 30, 2023, at 5 p.m. eastern time, with bid awards scheduled for December 8, 2023, and project completion targeted for June 1, 2023. Evaluation criteria will include cost (30%), meeting specified criteria (35%), ability to meet deadlines (10%), agreement to ECS terms (10%), and quality/reputation (15%).

The procurement appears open to qualified vendors without specific set-aside designations or enterprise restrictions. Contractors must comply with several key requirements, including registering with E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility, completing a Contractor Lien Release Form, and ensuring they are not on any federal exclusion lists. Payment terms are net 30 following acceptable goods/services delivery, and vendors are encouraged to buy American when possible. While a specific award value is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a substantive contract focusing on addressing critical child care provider shortages in rural Florida counties. Successful contractors must demonstrate professional conduct, maintain timely communication, and agree to ECS's full Terms and Conditions for Non-Construction Projects, which will supersede any conflicting provisions in the agreement.