3202500192 Child Care Expansion Initiative Program for New Child Care Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP 3202500192) to procure a qualified vendor to serve as the Program Administrator for the Child Care Expansion Initiative (CCEI) Program, aimed at increasing the number of new licensed childcare centers across Texas. The contract requires comprehensive administration of the CCEI Program, which includes managing the application and award processes, conducting outreach to eligible new childcare providers—especially in underserved areas known as Child Care Deserts—and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations governing child care services and funding. The selected contractor will oversee the distribution and monitoring of funds to providers, maintain data systems that track awarded slots and program progress, and provide continuous quality improvement input based on provider feedback, all while adhering to the accessibility and inclusivity standards mandated by Texas law. Proposals will be evaluated using a best-value trade-off approach emphasizing technical approach (50%), past performance and qualifications (25%), key personnel expertise (10%), and cost reasonableness (15%). Respondents must demonstrate significant experience managing multi-million-dollar childcare grant programs, including evaluating business plans, administering competitive awards, and ensuring compliance and reporting accuracy. Compliance with Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting requirements is mandatory. The contract term includes an initial 24-month period with two 18-month renewal options, with cost proposals constrained to not exceed 10% of the approved budget for administrative services. The awarded vendor must comply with detailed insurance requirements, data security protocols, including HIPAA and NIST standards, and federal Child Care and Development Fund grant terms. Responsiveness to operational oversight, including monthly HUB subcontracting progress reports and data breach notifications, is required. The contract is governed by Texas law and mandates thorough adherence to all programmatic policies, security obligations, and reporting conditions established by TWC.