Request for Proposals Michigan Early Childhood Professionals Core Knowledge and Core Competencies Proposals Due By 12 P.M. (EST) January 11, 2013
Background: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 made one-time, timelimited funding available to improve coordination and collaboration among early childhood education and care programs and services. The purpose of these funds is to assist states in carrying out activities to facilitate the development or enhancement of high-quality systems of early childhood education and care designed to improve school readiness. The Great Start Early Learning Advisory Council (GS-ELAC) was established to provide advice on current collaborative efforts, identify priorities and advise on initiatives to support the priorities. The priorities identified by GS-ELAC are: Increase participation of children in existing early learning and care programs Develop an Early Childhood Special Education Policy Paper Develop a unified data system Expand and strengthen engagement of diverse leaders and stakeholder groups Coordinate the integration of the components into a workforce development system Develop aligned early childhood standards for P-8 Develop a Quality Rating and Improvement System for Statewide Implementation Project Summary: The Early Childhood Investment Corporation is seeking proposals to revise and update the Michigan Early Childhood Professional Core Knowledge and Core Competencies. Goal: Revise and update Michigan s current Core Knowledge and Core Competencies (CKCC) to ensure a continuum of professional growth opportunities that prepare an effective and well-qualified workforce of early childhood educators inclusive of appropriate levels of training, education and credentials. Scope of Work: The successful bid will be responsible for the following scope of work: Review and Update Core Knowledge and Core Competencies Review and update the CKCC document based on the Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Infant and Toddler Programs, Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten, and the Michigan Alignment document for Birth Grade 3. Review and update relative CKCC to the most current CDA, degree requirements and National Association of the Education of Young Children and National Association for Family Child Care standards. Ensure alignment between Core Knowledge and Core Competencies and Head Start Outcomes Framework. Create a format that allows the document to lend itself to serve as guidance for community college course work and a self awareness/self assessment tool for practitioners.
Research/ Analysis Identify and review other states Core Knowledge and/or Competencies that may influence Michigan s Core Knowledge and Core Competencies. Ensure Michigan s Core Knowledge and Core Competencies include the five interconnected components of a Professional Development System: o Core knowledge o Access and outreach o Qualifications and credentials o Pathways o Assurances Desired Products Develop existing content and create new content that includes: o Comprehensive Core Knowledge and Core Competencies framework that can be disseminated and used by higher education, community organizations and practitioners throughout Michigan to implement a plan of professional growth and recognition in early childhood. o A Core Knowledge and Core Competencies framework one-page summary with a visual representation of the professional development pathways. o Recommendations for focused training aligned with Core Knowledge and Core Competencies framework. Timeline: The timeline for completion of the planning and development is July 30, 2013, or six months after the contract is initiated. Schedule: 1) Responses to the Request for Proposals (RFP) with financial proposals are due by 12 p.m. on January 11, 2013. 2) The Early Childhood Investment Corporation will send confirmation of RFP receipt by 5 pm on January 11, 2013. 3) Selection of consulting firm or contractor will occur by January 18, 2013. 4) Successful bidder will begin work January 21, 2013 with the goal of all deliverables completed by July 31, 2013, or six months after the contract is initiated. Payment Schedules: The successful bidder will be responsible for deliverables based on timelines in a contract with the Early Childhood Investment Corporation for the project. A payment schedule will be developed that will link reimbursement to completion of deliverables within the timeline. Project Management and Execution: It should be noted that the contractor will work closely with the GS-ELAC Projects Manager. The Project Manager will be involved in reviews of all critical phases. The
Project Manager will recommend approval of payment of invoices in accordance with calendar of deliverables. The contract for this project will be between the contractor and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. Selection Criteria: Responses to this RFP will be judged, based on the following criteria: 1. The proposal presents a clear and concise description of the work to be undertaken with a credible presentation of how the efforts will achieve the deliverables, outcomes or goals as described in this RFP. 2. The bidder has experience and expertise necessary to conduct the work being proposed. 3. The proposed price is reasonable given the proposed scope of work. 4. The proposed contractor or consultant has successfully implemented similar projects for other states. 5. The contractor s demonstrated ability to attain the Early Childhood Investment Corporation s goals as related to this initiative based on previous successfully completed projects. RFP Contents-Submittal Requirements should be organized in the following manner: 1. Summary response to the RFP (1 page, 12 point font, 1 margins, no more than 1.5 inch line spacing). 2. Methodological approach (no more than 10 pages, 12 point font, 1 margins, no more than 1.5 inch line spacing). 3. A statement of organizational capabilities, including relevant effort in the past 5 years to indicate appropriate experience and expertise to successfully complete the work as described in this RFP. The statement should include a list of proposed staff and/or contractors, including their roles, experience and expertise related to the scope of work to be performed. 4. The financial proposal should include a line item budget and narrative for project, as well as a detailed budget breakdown by task that is organized into the following categories: (Each task should be estimated separately.) Data collection Labor costs Other direct costs Meeting costs Materials and reproduction Travel and per diem Analysis of results Indirect Costs/administrative overhead Presentation materials
General Information This Request for Proposal (RFP) provides interested bidders with sufficient information to prepare and submit proposals for consideration by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. 1. Contract Award Contract award negotiations will be undertaken with those bidders whose proposals, as to price and other factors, show them to be qualified, responsible, and capable of performing the work. The contract entered into will be that contract most advantageous to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, price and other factors considered. The Early Childhood Investment Corporation reserves the right to consider proposals or modifications thereof received at any time before the award is made, if such action is in the best interest of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. If a contract is awarded, the selected bidder will be required to comply with the General Provisions as part of the contract. 2. Range of Contract The contract amount will be in line with the deliverables outlined. 3. Rejection of Proposals The Early Childhood Investment Corporation reserves the right to propose modifications to an applicant's proposed work team. The Early Childhood Investment Corporation also reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, call for additional submittals, or to negotiate separately with any source whatsoever in any manner necessary to serve the best interest of the corporation. The Early Childhood Investment Corporation may call previous clients of other studies completed by a prospective bidder even if they are not listed as a reference. The Investment Corporation reserves the right to negotiate a final project cost with any bidder determined to have the best experience and expertise to successfully deliver the products described in this RFP. The RFP may be modified or canceled at any time prior to contracts being awarded. 4. Incurring Costs The Early Childhood Investment Corporation is not liable for any cost incurred by the Contractors prior to issuance of a contract. 5. All submissions must be in an 8 1/2" X 11" format. 6. Inquiries Questions that arise as a result of this RFP must be submitted in writing to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. All questions must be submitted on or before the date specified on the cover letter. Send an electronic copy of the proposal no later than 12 p.m. (EST) January 11, 2013 to Amy Godfrey at agodfrey@ecic4kids.org.