CHILD CARE SERVICES

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This is not a solicitation, request for quote, nor a request for proposals nor does this request obligate the Government in any way. Important Information: The Government is not obligated nor will it pay for or make reimbursement(s) for any costs associated with responding to this sources sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does this restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this is Service is 624410. The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research purposes to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified small and socio-economic small businesses, interested and capable of providing this service. Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing. Analysis of the quantity and quality of responses to this sources sought synopsis will be heavily weighted in the market research being conducted, and in the making of any small business set-aside determination for this requirement. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine the company presenting information possess the necessary functional areas of expertise and experience. Typically acquisitions of this nature are firm fixed price with a period of performance of five years (base year and four option years). Responses to this notice shall include the following: - Company Name, Duns Number, Street Address, Point of Contact, Phone Number, Facsimile, e-mail address, DUNS Number, Cage Code, Tax ID Number; - Identify the Small Business type: Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Small Business, Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone), 8(A) Small Disadvantaged Businesses, and Women Owned Small Business. - Submit a Capability Statement that identifies experience with the requirements of the general scope of work in this announcement not to exceed five pages. Description: See Brief Proposed Scope of Work below to the General Scope of Work The contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment, supplies, services, and materials (except as specified Government-furnished) which shall meet accreditation standards to obtain accredition by the National Association for the Education of Young People (NAYEYC) http://www.naeyc.org/academy/pursuing/fourstepoverview; the Facility shall be provided by the Government at the FLETC, Glynco, GA site 1131 Chapel Crossing Road, Glynco, GA. The intent of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is to provide full-time hourly childcare services for a maximum of 84 children for FLETC Staff Members (including Contractor Staff) Students and the General Public. The DHS, FLETC regulations are governed by The National Association For the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines and state regulations. The Child Development Center shall operate Monday through Friday 6:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M for full-time childcare. The program offered shall be a full-time day care, 5 days per week 10 hours per day (excluding Federal Holidays). Staff will be: 1. State certified and shall meet all Georgia state and FLETC child care requirements. 2. Certified in CPR and First Aid. 3. Fingerprinted with background checks performed as required by the Department of Homeland Security. 4. Must have completed an extensive training program of the Day Care Center's standards and specialized curriculum (at least 2 years of experience) as follows: a. Must have completed in-depth training that gives them further insight on child-care and child-development issues. b. Must have completed professional development training in Child Care. c. Must have completed annual training days to continually enhance their skills and knowledge on topics like handling challenging behaviors or improving. d. Child Care Services Training State of Georgia Requirements: During the first year of employment child care professionals (Child Care Learning Centers) must complete four hours of training in disease and injury control, 2 hours of training in abuse and neglect detection and four hours in child development/age appropriate activities training. Every year after the initial year, each professional (CCLC) is required to successfully complete ten (10) hours annually. All required training shall be received and approved through a State approved Training System. Care to be Provided: Infant Daycare (6+ Weeks) Provide Nurturing and Responsive Infant Care - Highly responsive care early in life is critical to a child's success in school, relationships and in life. Provider must provide a safe daycare environment where babies will be loved and cared for and where highly trained teachers will work to stimulate babies cognitive, emotional and physical development through movement, exploration and one-on-one nurturing. The infant classroom shall be equipped with areas designed to stimulate infants learning. In addition to providing standard care and play time, throughout the day, the infant's teacher will engage the child through: - Movement: Infants use their senses and bodies to learn about the world. The Movement Area will allow the infant to move and participate in teacher-guided physical development exercises. In this area there may include soft climbers, mats, balls, push and pull toys, instruments, bean bags and baskets. - Exploration: Manipulating objects and interacting with different materials helps babies learn early math and science concepts like size, shape and texture, and practice key skills like hand-eye coordination. In the Exploration Area, infants may play with soft blocks, big cars and trucks, knobbed puzzles, nesting cups and more. - Relaxation: A Cozy Area is a safe place where infant can feel rested and refreshed. In this space, infants and teachers quietly read books about people, animals and familiar objects and snuggle together with pillows, soft toys and other cuddly objects. Contractor shall operate a State accredited infant daycare program and also abide by state-mandated teacher-to-child ratios. The parent shall receive a daily log of the child's feeding, sleeping, diapering and learning activities, in order to obtain and maintain the confidence required by a parent that the baby will experience a nurturing and calming environment, focused on developing positive and trusting relationships. Toddler Daycare (12+ Months) Learning through Exploration Contractor shall provide highly trained teachers, who meet Georgia State Requirements, teachers who take great care to create a well-charted toddler territory geared for exploration, excitement and exercise. Hands-on child care programs shall cover as much ground as possible to help shape the toddler's brain, personality, behavior and health. Developing Toddler's Interests through Activities Contractor shall provide toddlers with a variety of choices in a safe and organized environment. Activity-based Learning Centers shall be provided to encourage: - Active & Gross Motor Play: Rocking and riding toys and large climbing structures. - Fine Motor Play: Action/reaction toys, puzzles and stacking toys. - Imagination & Quiet Play: Items to stimulate imagination like dolls and accessories, kitchen sets and play food. - Language Development, Music & Movement: CD players, children's books, musical instruments and puppets. Creative Arts & Exploration: Art materials, sand and water table, and sensory materials. The toddler program shall focus on a Whole Child Education philosophy, and shall be designed around shared learning experiences that stimulate and challenge the child each day. The structure of a typical day in the life of the toddler may include: - Group activities including singing songs or exploring books. - Teacher-initiated activities to include music or art. - Child-directed activities in our Learning Centers. - A snuggly story time. - Lunch and naptimes to nourish and rest the child's growing mind and body. - Outdoor play at least twice daily to burn off energy and develop motor skills. The accredited toddler child care program shall abide by state-mandated teacher-to-child ratios. Each parent shall receive a daily log of each toddler's, sleeping, diapering and learning activities, in order to obtain and maintain the confidence required by a parent that the baby will experience a nurturing and calming environment, focused on developing positive and trusting relationships. The contractor's policy and procedure of child enrollment and registration shall be approved by the Child Development Staff (CDS) Coordinator. A waiting list shall be created by priority as follows: Priority One: Children of full-time FLETC Staff Members Priority two: Children of FLETC Students Priority Three: Children of Temporary FLETC Employees Priority Four: Children of FLETC Contractor Staff Employees Priority Five: Children of the General Community In any of the above categories, except Priority One and Two, the families with children already enrolled in the center will receive preference for space. Full time is defined as 40 hour work week. Once a child of a FLETC patron (staff and/or contractor staff) is enrolled in the center, the staff member cannot lose the space due to a change in employment status. For example, if a contractor employee becomes employed as a part-time Government employee, the staff member may maintain the space at the center.. FLETC shall notify the Center Director as soon as possible of potential FLETC new hires relocating to the area to work at FLETC who may require child care services. FLETC, Glynco expects the contractor to provide the highest standard of child care as identified by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. The contractor shall provide all required manpower, resources, and services to meet the following objectives: a) Safe developmentally appropriate environments and quality care for young children with strict adherence to health, sanitation, safety, fire, nutrition, and risk management requirements. b) Safe, developmentally appropriate environments and quality care for young children with strict adherence to health, sanitation, safety, fire, nutrition, and risk management requirements. c) Qualified and experienced management, support and CDS who communicate positively and professionally with children and parents. d) Provide environments that positively contribute to children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Notice to Potential Offerors: All Offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) located on the web at www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. It is desirable that any Offeror shall have completed their business Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Responses are due BY 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), January 14, 2012 via e-mail to contact@example.gov .