Higher Education Consortium Expansion - RFA

Higher Education Consortium Expansion - RFA Applicants will have an opportunity to apply for a Grant Agreement to implement consortia services. Page 1 of 19 STATE OF OREGON COVER PAGE Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care Is issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) for EARLY LEARNING HIGHER EDUCATION CONSORTIUM EXPANSION RFA #S-58800-00016364 Date of Issue: March 26th, 2026 Closing Date: Thursday May 6th, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST Single Point of Contact (SPC): Ashley Griffin, Senior Contract Specialist Address: 700 Summer St City, State, Zip Salem, OR 97310 E-mail: Ashley.griffin@delc.oregon.gov It is a policy of the State Board of Education and a priority of the Oregon Department of Education that there must be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment. Persons having questions about equal opportunity and nondiscrimination should contact the Karin Moscon at 503-947-5706; or by fax 503- 378-5156. TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 3 1.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT (SPC) ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 2: AUTHORITY, OVERVIEW, AND SCOPE ............................................................................... 4 2.1 AUTHORITY AND METHOD .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 DEFINITION OF TERMS ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4 2.3 PROGRAM SPECICIFIC DEFINITIONS ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.4 OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.5 SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 SECTION 3: APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION ..................................................... 8 3.1 MINIMUM APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 8 3.2 MINIMUM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................................... 9 3.3 APPLICATION PROCESS ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 3.4 APPLICATION CONTENT REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 10 3.5 EVALUATION PROCESS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 3.6 NEXT STEP DETERMINATION ................................................................................................................................................................. 17 SECTION 4: AWARD AND NEGOTIATION .................................................................................................. 17 4.1 AWARD NOTIFICATION PROCESS .............................................................................................................................................................. 17 4.2 PROTEST ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 4.3 SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 18 4.3 GRANT NEGOTIATION .................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 SECTION 5: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 19 5.1 GOVERNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 19 5.2 OWNERSHIP/PERMISSION TO USE MATERIALS ......................................................................................................................... 19 5.3 CANCELLATION OF RFGP; REJECTION OF APPLICATIONS; NO DAMAGES .................................................................. 20 5.4 COST OF SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION ......................................................................................................................................... 20 SECTION 6: LIST OF ATTACHMENTS ............................................................................................................. 20 Page 2 of 19 3 SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1 INTRODUCTION The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (“Agency”) or (“DELC”) is issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) to award grants to successful applicants, which will each establish an Early Learning Higher Education Consortium (Consortium) in a different part of the state. Applicants will have an opportunity to apply for a Grant Agreement to implement consortia services. DELC is seeking implementer applicants that are ready to start work once the grant is executed. The successful applicant will establish a collaboration between institutions of higher education, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies, and community-based organizations and they will focus on bringing partners together to expand and scale up support of the Early Learning Workforce as they progress through higher education. This support should allow for seamless transitions while meeting the needs of the workforce for cohorts of current or potential of Early Childhood Workforce members in obtaining portable, stackable and articulated higher education college credentials, certificates and degrees, that support an increase in the Early Childhood Education Workforce. Additional details on the scope of the program are included in the Scope of Activities section 2.5. The parties may negotiate the final Scope of Activities to be included in the Agreement. Number of awardees will depend on requested budget and application type of responsive applicants. Depending on budget requests, the number of awardees is not expected to exceed 11 executed agreements for the 26/27 fiscal year. The initial term of each Grant Agreement is anticipated to be one year (July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027) with the option to continue at DELC’s discretion. All persons, firms, or governmental entities submitting Applications are referred to as Applicants in this RFA. After execution of a Grant Agreement, the awarded Applicant(s) must be designated as a Recipient. 1.2 SCHEDULE The table below represents a tentative schedule of events. All times are listed in prevailing Pacific Time. All dates listed are subject to change. Event Date Time RFA available to prospective Applicants Thursday, March 26th, 2026 Pre Applicant Conference: Webinar Wednesday, April 1st 2026 10:00 AM PST Application Questions Due Wednesday, April 8th, 2026 5:00 PM PST Application Question Responses Due Friday, April 10th, 2026 5:00 PM PST Closing (Applications Due) Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 5:00 PM PST Applicant Evaluation Process May 7th – May15th Issuance of Notice of Award (approx.) Friday, May 22nd 5:00 PM PST 4 1.3 SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT (SPC) The SPC for this RFA is identified on the Cover Page, along with the SPC’s contact information. Applicant shall direct all communications related to any provision of the RFA, whether about the technical requirements of the RFA, contractual requirements, the RFA process, or any other provision only to the SPC. SECTION 2: AUTHORITY, OVERVIEW, AND SCOPE 2.1 AUTHORITY AND METHOD The Agency is issuing this RFA pursuant to its authority under ORS 329A.135. Agency must accept Applications up to the Closing date and time as set forth in Section 1.2 of this RFA. The Agency must then evaluate the Applications in accordance with Section 3 of this RFA. 2.2 DEFINITION OF TERMS The following definitions apply for purposes of this RFA. This RFA contains active text hyperlinks to assist interested Applicants with definitions. Text hyperlinks are blue and underlined and when the cursor is moved over a hyperlink the arrow should change to a small hand pointing at the link or the message to “Ctrl + Click to follow link” must appear. When you click it, a new page or place in the current page must open. 2.3 Program Specific Definitions For the purposes of this RFA, capitalized words are defined in OAR 125-246-0110 , OAR 125-246- 0110, or as defined below. “Affected Applicant”: an Applicant who would be eligible for a Grant in the event their protest was successful, and who is protesting because Agency failed to conduct an evaluation of Applications in accordance with the criteria or process described in this RFA. “Applicant”: an entity who submits an Application in response to this RFA. “Application”: a written response to this RFA. “Child Care Resource and Referral Agency” (“CCR&R”): An entity designated under ORS 329A.100 that provides local and statewide services which may include, but is not limited to: 1) guidance and referrals for parents seeking child care through referrals to 211info; 2) recruiting, training, and supporting EEs to remain in the profession and provide high -quality child care programs; 3) the collection of information about the local supply of child care; and 4) community collaboration with Early Learning System partners. “Community of Practice” (“CoP”): a group of people who share a common concern, a set of problems, goals, or an interest in a topic, and who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals. Generally, there is a facilitator who leads the Community of Practice and supports the coordination of the group. “Consortium”: a partnership among entities working collaboratively towards a common goal or purpose. Partners agree upon contributions, which are based on their expertise as it relates to the 5 goal or purpose, through a Memorandum of Understanding. “Early Care and Education Workforce” or "Early Learning Workforce (member)": those individuals employed or seeking employment to provide direct services or to support the provision of services to children who are zero through six years of age or those in out of school time care, including but not limited to early childhood educator, social services, child welfare, family support, mental; childcare facility directors/administrators, occupational; nutritional, physical and behavioral health, , and education work. “Early Learning System”: the network of services that support early care and education in Oregon. “Evaluation Committee”: the group of people who will evaluate and score Applications submitted in response to this RFA. “National Association for the Education of Young Children Competencies” (“NAEYC competencies”) Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators: Statement by key national organization describing core body of knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions early childhood educators must demonstrate to effectively promote the development, learning, and well-being of all young children. “Professional Development”: a continuum of learning and support activities designed to prepare individuals for work with and on behalf of young children and their families. Professional Development encompasses education, training, and Technical Assistance. “Technical Assistance” (“TA”): targeted and individualized support by a professional(s) with specific knowledge and skills to develop or strengthen processes, application, or implementation of services for/by the TA recipients. TA may be delivered by an individual or a team, to one individual or a group. TA may be provided face-to-face, via distance methods, or a hybrid of the two. Typical forms of TA include coaching, mentoring, consultation, and professional development advising. 2.4 OVERVIEW 2.4.1 Agency Overview and Background The Agency’s mission is to support all of Oregon’s young children and families to learn and thrive. The Agency’s values are equity, making a positive impact for children and families, dedication, integrity and collective wisdom to benefit Oregon children and families. The Agency works as an integrated team focused on: child care, early learning programs and cross systems integration, policy and research, and equity. 2.4.2 Program Overview and Background Each Early Learning Higher Education Consortium (“Consortium” or multiple “Consortia”) was previously funded in two areas of the State: Souther