Request for Proposal #13-02 Infant and Toddler and Inclusion Child ...

Request for Proposal #13-02Infant and Toddler and Inclusion Child Care ConsultantReleased 8-22-13The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County is seeking a highly qualified, experienced individual toprovide training and related observation and coaching services to identified sites where infant toddlerchild care needs improvement and is part of the sites Quality Improvement Plan. In addition thisindividual w ill provide consultation to both ELC staff and providers on inclusion issues. Proposals fromentities that may be interested are currently being accepted.The anticipated start date of the contract is September 1, 2013 and extends through the fiscal year endJune 30, 2014. How ever w ith this procurement process, the contract can be negotiated and renew ed fora total of 2 additional one-year terms.Interested consultants are asked to please prepare a response according to the instructions in theattached Request for Proposal.Agency BackgroundThe Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County w as originally incorporated in May 2000 as the SchoolReadiness Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc., as a 501 c (3) non-profit organization.Both the School Readiness Act and the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten legislation (most recent HB 7165)assign a number of specific responsibilities to Early Learning Coalitions to implement at the local levelto improve the quality of local child care sites and support school readiness outcomes for all children.The Legislature recognized that effective school readiness programs increase children’s chances forsuccess.Legislation outlines the responsibilities for Early Learning Coalitions across the state includingoversight for the delivery of local early education services, establishes thresholds for spendingcategories and determines the composition of its Board of Directors. Our local Coalition currentlyadministers a program of almost $12 million of local, state and federal funds that are used to:Facilitate and oversee a w ide range of support services to enhance the overall system of qualitychild care and preschool educational services for children in Sarasota CountyProvide child care scholarships to local income-eligible families and appropriate developmentalscreenings for childrenAdminister the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK) for all eligible four year olds toincrease the readiness of children to begin KindergartenThe Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County reports at the state level to the Florida Office for EarlyLearning w ithin the Department of Education. An 18-21-member Board of Directors, w hose membershipis determined by the current legislation, governs the Coalition and ensures compliance w ith all applicablelegislation and statutory requirements and a high quality of services1

.REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSULTANT’S RESPONSEI. A. Scope of WorkThe Consultant w ill provide training and related observation and coaching services to identified sitesw here infant toddler child care needs improvement and is part of the sites’ Quality ImprovementPlan. Consultant w ill offer other community trainings as agreed upon by the ELC related todevelopmental screenings and appropriate follow up, general inclusion, and/or supporting children’ssocial and emotional w ell being. The Consultant w ill additionally provide guidance as needed to the ELCstaff in managing the support around identified children to ensure those children receive appropriateearly intervention services.II. Proposal ContentProposers are asked to submit the follow ing:1. Cover page/transmittal letter signed by the individual responsible for the contract.2. Proposal summary (1 page) that provides an overview of the Consultant and their w orkdescription.3. Description of w ork (no more than 1 page) to include the follow ing: Provide a description of the consultant’s ability to meet the scope of work requirements Demonstrate an understanding of the deliverables and how the consultant can meet those4. Consultant qualifications (1 page) Brief history of the consultant Qualifications of consultant Description of recent projects w ith relevant scope of work5. Proposed costs (1 page) to include: Personnel costs (hourly rate) Additional costs and expenses, listed separately6. AttachmentsPlease attach references, resume and other materials that you feel w ill be helpful in evaluatingyour proposal.7. Page LimitMaximum number of pages for proposal not including cover letter and attachments is 4 pages.III. Evaluation CriteriaProposals w ill be evaluated on the follow ing criteria:• Experience of the Consultant• Qualifications of the Consultant• Experience w ith state contracts• Previous w orkw ith other Early Learning Coalitions• Proposed CostIV. Proposal Delivery and DeadlineA. Please provide 1 original signed hard copy, and 1 complete copy, via U.S. mail or hand-delivered(no faxes) to:2

Mr. James Paw lakFinance DirectorEarly Learning Coalition of Sarasota County1750 17 th Street, Unit LSarasota, FL 34234941-954-4830 Ext 115JPaw lak@earlylearningcoalitionsarasota.orgB. In addition, send one complete electronic version tomail@earlylearningcoalitionsarasota.orgC. Proposals are due to the Early Learning office by COB. on or before August 30, 2013.VI. Decision Date and Notification DetailsThe successful applicant w ill be chosen September 3,, 2013 and notified via phone and mail; all otherapplicants w ill receive written notification.Upon receipt of all proposals, the Coalition w ill review and make a decision based on the applicants’ability to fulfill the service requirements, their experience, the evaluation criteria outlined in item III.above, any value added enhancements above and the quality of any previous services provided.VIII. Questions Regarding Content of RFPProspective vendors may contact the Coalition w ith questions regarding any part of the RFP viaemail at JPaw lak@earlylearningcoalitionsarasota.org up to COB 27 August 2013 . The Coalition w illansw er vendor questions as expeditiously as possible upon receipt of an email, and w ill copy allother interested vendors on both the question and response. All responses will be provided no laterthan COB 28 August 2013, as proposals are due by COB 30 August 2013.3