RFQ - ROU Strategic Plan Update - PDG

RFQ - ROU Strategic Plan Update - PDG Update the statewide early learning system plan Raise Up Oregon Page 1 of 9 Last Updated: 9/24/2024 REQUEST FOR QUOTES (RFQ) Best Value Analysis (BVA) # S-58800-00016080 Oregon Statewide Strategic Plan Update Issue Date: Friday, February 20, 2026 Issued in: OregonBuys Additional Direct Notices Provided to: Harriet Dichter Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) School Readiness Consulting Issuing Office: Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC or Authorized Purchaser) RFQ (Authorized Representative): Ashley Griffin Address: 700 Summer Street Salem, OR 97301 Phone: 971.240.2426 E-mail: Ashley.griffin@delc.oregon.gov OFFER DUE DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 EVENTS SCHEDULE EVENT DATE TIME RFQ Release 2/20/2026 Due Date for Questions/Clarifications 2/24/2026 5:00 PM PST Answers to Questions/Clarifications (Approximately) 2/26/2026 RFQ Closing (Proposed quotes due) 3/4/2026 5:00 PM PST Issue Intent to Award 3/6//2026 5:00 PM PST 1. Introduction Page 2 of 9 Last Updated: 9/24/2024 Department of Early Learning and Care (“DELC” or “Authorized Purchaser”), is issuing this Request for Quote (“RFQ”) to solicit competitive quotes from a qualified early childhood system building vendor to support updating the Raise Up Oregon strategic plan. DELC intends to contract with a vendor to update the statewide early learning system plan, Raise Up Oregon in partnership with the Oregon Early Learning Council (ELC) who has the responsibility to coordinate a unified and aligned early childhood system. In addition to partnering with the ELC, the vendor will also engage with the multiple agencies that contribute to building Oregon’s early childhood system, These agencies include the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), Oregon Department of Education (ODE), Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). The selected vendor will assess the current plan and develop an updated Raise Up Oregon plan to reflect the Council and agency partners continued vision to support children and families. This procurement is focused on both the planning and execution of an updated plan, and providing consultation and technical assistance on the plan’s implementation. The final product will reflect the Early Learning Council’s vision and goals for Oregon’s early childhood system. Additional details on the Scope of goods or services or both are included in Sections 2 and 3 (System Requirements and Scope of Services). DELC anticipates the Award of one Contract. 2. Scope of Services The selected vendor will work with DELC to plan and execute an updated plan for Raise Up Oregon, the state’s early childhood system plan. The work will include assessment, planning, facilitation, and engagement in order to deliver an updated plan. The scope of services includes but is not limited to the following: 2.1 Technical Assistance The vendor shall participate in weekly technical assistance calls with Council and DELC staff that focus on updating the Raise Up Oregon (RUO) plan and its implementation. Technical assistance calls must include meeting and agenda planning, timeline development and coordination with DELC staff, coordination and engagement with state agency partners, and engagement with council members. Technical assistance offered will also include the vendor’s knowledge and skills in state early childhood system-building, bringing several state agencies together to partner and improve their efforts together, and knowledge of other states’ early childhood system-building efforts and how to apply lessons learned in the Oregon context. 2.2 Facilitation Page 3 of 9 Last Updated: 9/24/2024 The selected vendor will facilitate quarterly meetings with the council(s) at a minimum. Meetings may be held virtually or in a hybrid format; however, the vendor is required to attend up to two council meetings in person. 2.3 Update Raise Up Oregon The vendor shall execute a final updated plan of Raise Up Oregon. The vendor will provide technical assistance on implementation once the plan is updated. The selected vendor will be required to partner with DELC staff to develop a timeline, engagement plan, coordinate with cross system partners and council(s). The vendor shall deliver a detailed updated Raise Up Oregon plan. 3. Questions and Requests for Clarification: All questions and requests for clarification regarding this RFQ must be submitted in writing by e- mail, to the Authorized Representative and must be received no later than 2/24/26 at 5:00 PM PST. DELC may issue revisions, substitutions or clarifications of the RFQ. DELC will send revisions, substitutions or clarifications, if any, electronically to the above referenced Contract holders. 4. Offer Submittal: Offers must be received on or before the Offer Due Date and Time at the location identified above to be considered. DELC may extend the Offer Due Date and Time. Offers will be accepted by e-mail to the Authorized Representative identified above. Offers will not be accepted after the Offer Due Date and Time. 5. Submittal Requirements: a. Offeror must provide a description of the proposed approach for providing the Scope of Services described in the RFQ, including a comprehensive description of the proposed implementation methodology for Project, in phases for DELC. The description should include how the Offeror has developed this methodology to incorporate lessons learned from experiences, as well as to meet the needs described in the RFQ. b. Offeror must provide a draft Scope of Work using the information from Section 2, Scope of Services. c. Offer must include submission of the Price Offer on the form or forms attached hereto as Exhibit 1 detailing all costs associated with the System(s) and Services. d. Experience: Offerors responding to this RFQ must have a current understanding and expertise around early childhood system building in Oregon and at least 7 years’ experience providing these services. Page 4 of 9 Last Updated: 9/24/2024 e. Organization and Personnel: Offers must include a description of Offeror’s organization, Key Persons, other staff or personnel (including subcontractors, if applicable), and their experience. i. Key Person(s). Specify Key Person(s) to be assigned to this Project and include a current resume (not to exceed 2 pages each) for each individual that demonstrates qualifications and experience for the Services proposed. Key Person(s) Requirements and Preferences are:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Oregon’s early childhood system;
• Demonstrated knowledge and key experience, in last 5 years, and knowledge

serving as key advisor and partner around early childhood system building and policy development including: reviewing, making recommendations, and drafting policies to implement early childhood systems, and meet state and federal requirements

• Recent experience, in last 5 years, facilitating early childhood system building

activities is required.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in public administration, business management or

another relevant field is preferred

• Strong understanding of public sector environment is preferred.

Due to the nature of services, Key Person(s) must be available to work on-site as agreed upon between all parties, subject to all facilities access rules and procedures. Work site is designated as DELC’s headquarters office in Salem, Oregon. ii. Organization and Organizational Chart. Provide a description of Offeror’s organization and provision of products and services, including a narrative that describes the organization’s security program as it relates to the proposed solution. As an organization that shares in the responsibilities to protect the state’s data, it is important to understand how cybersecurity principles at an architectural and organizational level will be applied. iii. Subcontractors. If Proposer intends to work with subcontractor(s), Proposer shall include a statement detailing any subcontracting firms or individual subcontractors that may be engaged as part of the Proposal to this RFQ, with those entities and the Services they will provide clearly identified. f. Offeror must provide a list of 3 governmental or educational entities using Offeror’s proposed system as references using the Reference Check Form attached hereto as Exhibit No. 2. DELC may check to determine if references provided support Offeror’s ability to comply with the requirements of this RFQ. DELC may use references to obtain additional information, or verify any information needed. DELC may contact any reference (submitted or not) to verify Offeror’s qualifications. g. Offer must include any underlying agreements, including license agreements, subscription agreements, maintenance, service level agreement and security/privacy agreements that will be required to use the System. Page 5 of 9 Last Updated: 9/24/2024 6. Evaluation and Award: DELC may reject all Offers or cancel this RFQ at any time. Submissions will be reviewed to determine if all Submittal Requirements have been met. Those meeting the Submittal Requirements will be evaluated to determine the “Best Value” for DELC, as set forth in this Section 8. 8.1 Evaluation of Written Offers The evaluation of Offers will be done by an evaluation team assembled by DELC. The evaluation team may include Authorized Purchaser business and program personnel, as well as subject matter experts and/or representatives from other agencies or other authorized users. Scoring Criteria (BVA) and Points Best Value Analysis Maximum Points Available Experience and Capabilities 30 Organization and Personnel 20 Scope of Services 20 Pricing 20 References 10 Total Score 100 Based on scores from the evaluation, DELC will select one or more of the top-scoring Offerors as finalists.. 9. Protest of Intent to Award. An Affected Offeror shall have 7 calendar days from the date of the Intent to Award notice to file a Written protest. An Offeror is an Affected Offeror only if the Offeror would be eligible for Contract award in the event the protest was successful and is protesting for one or more of the following reasons as specified in ORS 279B.410:

• All higher ranked Offers are non-Responsive.
• DELC has failed to conduct an evaluation of Offers in accordance with the criteria or

process described in the RFQ.

• DELC abused its discretion in rejecting the protestor’s Offer as non-Responsive.
• DELC’s evaluation of Offer or determination of award otherwise violates the terms of

the Participating Addenda. Protests must:

• Be delivered to the RFQ contact via email
• Reference the RFQ number
• Identify Offeror’s name and contact information

Page 6 of 9 Last Updated: 9/24/2024

• Be signed by an Authorized Representative
• Specify the grounds for the protest
• Be received within 7 calendar days of the Intent to Award notice

Response to Protest. DELC will address all protests submitted in accordance with this Section 9 within a reasonable time and will issue a Written decision to the respective Offeror. Protests that do not include the required information prescribed in Section 9 may not be considered by DELC. Page 7 of 9 Last Updated: 9/24/2024 EXHIBIT NO. 1 PRICING *Please include a budget breakdown of all proposal costs as well as a total proposal cost. Page 8 of 9 Last Updated: 9/24/2024 EXHIBIT NO. 2 REFERENCE CHECK FORM Customer Contact Name Phone Number Email Page 2 of 12