SRF 260101 Request for Quote Summer Step Up Program for Young Learners-Training

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is issuing a Request for Quote (RFQ) to procure training, technical assistance, and support services for the Summer Step Up Program for Young Learners. The selected vendor will support approximately fifty public school districts in implementing summer programming for children entering preschool through second grade that meets minimum departmental criteria. Key deliverables include developing and delivering professional development training to educators, providing on-site technical assistance, creating curriculum resources, establishing evaluation mechanisms, and ensuring compliance with state standards. The vendor must demonstrate comprehensive expertise in early childhood education program implementation and have the capacity to work collaboratively with multiple school districts. Proposals will be evaluated on eight criteria totaling 200 points: proposed approach and delivery plan (30 points), detailed work plan and timeline (30 points), organizational chart and proposed roles (20 points), team experience and expertise (30 points), proposed budgets and budget narratives (20 points), team member resumes (10 points), relevant references (10 points), and Supplier Diversity Program commitments (50 points). The work plan and budgets must be divided into two periods: March 2026 through June 30, 2026, and July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 (assuming contract renewal subject to appropriation and service need). The posting date was March 2, 2026, with a quote submission deadline of March 25, 2026. Vendors must submit quotes through the COMMBUYS electronic procurement system and may submit questions prior to bid opening using the platform's Q&A functionality.

The Supplier Diversity Program component carries significant weight in the evaluation, representing 50 points or 25 percent of the total score, with points allocated based on the percentage of contract funds committed to certified minority and women-owned business enterprises. The evaluation scorecard indicates that vendor budgets will be considered as a factor in determining best value to the Commonwealth, with all costs including travel and translation services to be included in proposals. No incumbent vendors or specific organizational restrictions are identified in the available procurement documents. The contract is being funded through state appropriations designated for early education expansion and improvement initiatives, though specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the posted materials. Prospective vendors should review all bid documents and attachments in their entirety before responding, ensure compliance with Massachusetts standard terms and conditions, and mark any confidential information appropriately during submission. The procurement represents a significant opportunity for qualified training and technical assistance providers to support statewide early childhood education expansion efforts across multiple school districts.