Childcare Benefit Administration Services for AmeriCorps Volunteers
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The Corporation for National and Community Service is seeking market information through a Request for Information (RFI) to identify qualified vendors capable of administering childcare benefit services for AmeriCorps volunteers across multiple programs including State and National, VISTA, NCCC, FEMA Corps, and Forest Corps. The Government anticipates supporting up to 600 eligible volunteers annually, with monthly utilization ranging between 200 and 450 volunteers. The contractor will be responsible for end-to-end administration of the childcare benefit program, including intake and eligibility verification for both volunteers and childcare providers, processing monthly payments via EFT/ACH, operating a secure and Section 508-compliant web portal and mobile platform, providing customer service in English and Spanish during standard business hours, generating timely reports, maintaining records for audit compliance, and ensuring seamless transition during both onboarding and offboarding. The contractor must demonstrate prior experience administering similar childcare subsidy programs, possess the ability to achieve and maintain a Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Authority to Operate within a FedRAMP-certified environment, and have established protocols for handling Personally Identifiable Information in full compliance with federal privacy requirements. The anticipated contract structure includes a one-year base period with four one-year option periods and a mandatory 90-day transition period at the conclusion of each performance phase. Vendors interested in responding must submit a capability statement not exceeding five pages, excluding resumes and past performance references, electronically to the designated point of contact by the July 3, 2026 deadline. The submission must include the company’s Unique Entity ID, CAGE code, business size and socioeconomic status, detailed experience with federal benefit administration, system development and security compliance, EFT/ACH payment processing capabilities, staffing plans, bilingual support infrastructure, and demonstrated ability to transition services without interruption. Specific requirements include maintaining continuous vetting for all personnel under Trusted Workforce 2.0 standards, designating a qualified Systems Security Officer with FISMA and FedRAMP expertise, meeting strict performance metrics such as 100% on-time payment processing within 10 business days, limiting quarterly volunteer complaints to less than 10%, and ensuring all systems and deliverables are government-owned property. While this RFI is strictly for market research and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract, the Government will use the responses to evaluate industry readiness, determine potential for small business set-asides, and inform the structure and requirements of a future acquisition. Responses are not reimbursable
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Washington, DC, 20525, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE
Childcare Benefit Administration Services for AmeriCorps Volunteers
This is a Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a solicitation, request for proposal (RFP), or request for quotation (RFQ). This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract.
The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research to identify qualified vendors capable of providing comprehensive childcare benefit administration services for eligible AmeriCorps volunteers nationwide. Interested vendors shall submit capability statements demonstrating their ability to perform the required services outlined herein.
Background
AmeriCorps administers a childcare benefit program for eligible AmeriCorps volunteers serving in:
• AmeriCorps State and National (ASN)
• AmeriCorps VISTA
• AmeriCorps NCCC
• FEMA Corps
• Forest Corps
The Government anticipates supporting up to 600 eligible volunteers annually, with an average of approximately 200–450 volunteers utilizing the childcare benefit monthly.
Scope of Services
The Contractor shall provide all personnel, systems, infrastructure, and operational support necessary to administer the AmeriCorps Childcare Benefit Program, including but not limited to:
• Intake, review, and processing of volunteer and childcare provider applications
• Verification of volunteer and childcare provider eligibility
• Customer service support via toll-free telephone, email, secure fax, and web-based systems
• Processing monthly childcare provider invoices and payment disbursements
• Development, maintenance, and operation of a secure web portal and mobile platform
• Monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reporting
• Records retention and audit support
• Transition support during phase-in and phase-out periods
Required capabilities include:
• Experience administering childcare subsidy or childcare benefit programs
• Ability to provide a secure, Section 508 compliant web-based platform
• FISMA compliance and ability to obtain an Authority to Operate (ATO) prior to production use
• Hosting within a FedRAMP-certified environment
• Experience handling Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in accordance with Federal requirements
• Ability to process EFT/ACH payments to childcare providers
• Ability to provide English and Spanish customer service support
• Ability to meet required service-level timelines for application processing and payments
Anticipated Contract Information
PSC: R499 – Support Services (Other)
NAICS: 541611 – Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
The Government anticipates a contract consisting of:
• One (1) 12-month base period
• Four (4) 12-month option periods
• A 90-day transition period
Capability Statement Submission Requirements
Interested vendors shall submit a capability statement that clearly demonstrates their ability to provide the required services. Capability statements shall include, at a minimum:
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Company Name
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UEI Number
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CAGE Code
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Business Size and Socioeconomic Status
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Relevant experience administering similar childcare benefit or subsidy programs
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Federal contract experience supporting benefit administration or similar services
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Experience with secure web-based portals, document intake, and workflow management
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Experience with FISMA compliance, ATO support, and FedRAMP environments
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Experience processing recurring provider payments via EFT/ACH
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Staffing model and qualifications of proposed personnel
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Ability to support required customer service hours and bilingual support
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Ability to transition within 90 days without interruption of service
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Recommended commercial best practices or efficiencies
Capability statements should include sufficient detail for the Government to determine the vendor’s capability to perform the requirement.
Submission Instructions
Responses shall not exceed five (5) pages, excluding resumes and past performance references.
Responses shall be submitted electronically in PDF format to:
Jorge L. De Leon jdeleon@americorps.gov
Subject Line: Capability Statement – AmeriCorps Childcare Benefit Administration RFI
Submission Deadline: July 3rd, 2026
Questions regarding this notice shall be submitted via email no later than July 1st, 2026
Disclaimer
This RFI is for market research purposes only. The Government will not reimburse vendors for any costs associated with preparing or submitting responses. Responses to this notice will be used to assess market capability and to assist in determining acquisition strategy, including the potential for small business set-aside decisions.