Introduction

The Child Care Communications Management Center (CMC) is a project that provides logistical and communication services for the Office of Child Care (OCC), a federal agency that administers the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The CMC coordinates and supports in-person and virtual events, develops and distributes technical assistance tools and materials, and assists with the planning and delivery of technical assistance by regional program managers, state systems specialists, and other Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance System partners.

The OCC has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the CMC contract, which has an estimated value of $13 million and a duration of 12 weeks base plus 3 x 12 months options. The solicitation number is RR20220721 and the response deadline is October 31, 2023. The RFP is open to all eligible contractors who can demonstrate their experience and expertise in providing similar services to the OCC or other federal agencies.

In this article, we will provide some historical background on the CMC project, describe the main requirements and objectives of the RFP, explain who should participate in this opportunity, and discuss the challenges and benefits of winning this contract. We will also share some tips and insights from our perspective as GDI Consulting, a leading provider of capture and proposal services for government contractors.

Historical Background

The CMC project was established in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which provided an additional $2 billion to the CCDF program to support child care services for low-income families. The CMC was tasked with facilitating the communication and coordination among the OCC, the states, territories, tribes, and other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the ARRA funds. The CMC also helped to disseminate best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from the ARRA initiatives.

Since then, the CMC has continued to provide valuable services to the OCC and its partners, especially in light of the changes and challenges brought by the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (CCDBG Act), which reauthorized and amended the CCDF program. The CCDBG Act introduced new requirements and standards for health and safety, quality improvement, consumer education, family engagement, professional development, and monitoring and enforcement. The CMC supported the OCC in providing guidance, training, technical assistance, and resources to help states, territories, tribes, and providers comply with the new law.

The current CMC contract was awarded in 2018 to BLH Technologies, Inc., a small business that specializes in public health, communications, technology, and education. The contract had a base period of one year with four one-year option periods. The contract is set to expire on September 30, 2023.

RFP Description

The OCC is seeking a contractor to continue providing the CMC services for the next four years. The contractor will be responsible for:

  • Coordinating logistical arrangements for OCC meetings and events, such as webinars, conferences, workshops, site visits, peer-to-peer exchanges, etc.
  • Developing communication strategies and products for OCC activities and initiatives, such as newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, reports, presentations, videos, podcasts, social media posts, etc.
  • Supporting the development and distribution of technical assistance tools and materials for OCC programs and projects, such as interactive CD-ROMs, online courses, web-based resources, etc.
  • Assisting with the planning and delivery of technical assistance by regional program managers, state systems specialists, and other Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance System partners via web-based technology, conference calls, exhibits, videoconferences, and onsite training and technical assistance
  • Maintaining an inventory of OCC products and materials and ensuring their accessibility and usability
  • Collecting and analyzing data and feedback on OCC services and products and providing recommendations for improvement
  • Collaborating with other contractors and stakeholders involved in OCC activities and initiatives

The contractor will be required to follow the OCC policies and procedures, comply with federal laws and regulations, and adhere to quality standards and performance measures. The contractor will also be expected to demonstrate innovation, creativity, and flexibility in responding to OCC needs and requests.

Who Should Participate

This opportunity is ideal for contractors who have:

  • Experience in providing logistical and communication services for federal agencies, especially in the early childhood education or child care sector
  • Knowledge of the CCDF program and its requirements, objectives, and challenges
  • Expertise in developing and delivering technical assistance tools and materials for diverse audiences and platforms
  • Ability to work effectively with OCC staff, regional program managers, state systems specialists, and other Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance System partners
  • Capacity to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and meet deadlines and expectations

Contractors who are interested in this opportunity should also have:

  • A strong team of qualified and experienced personnel who can perform the required tasks and roles
  • A sound technical approach and methodology that can meet the OCC goals and objectives
  • A competitive price proposal that reflects the value and quality of the services offered

Challenges and Benefits

Winning this contract will present some challenges and benefits for the contractor. Some of the challenges are:

  • The complexity and diversity of the OCC activities and initiatives, which require a high level of coordination, collaboration, and customization
  • The dynamic and evolving nature of the OCC needs and requests, which require a high degree of innovation, creativity, and flexibility
  • The high expectations and standards of the OCC and its partners, which require a high level of quality, performance, and accountability

Some of the benefits are:

  • The opportunity to work with a federal agency that is committed to improving the quality and accessibility of child care services for low-income families and children
  • The opportunity to contribute to the development and dissemination of best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from the CCDF program and its initiatives
  • The opportunity to expand the contractor’s portfolio and reputation in the early childhood education or child care sector

Conclusion

The Child Care Communications Management Center contract is a valuable opportunity for contractors who can provide logistical and communication services for the Office of Child Care. The contractor will be responsible for supporting the OCC in its activities and initiatives related to the Child Care and Development Fund program. The contractor will face some challenges and benefits in winning this contract, which will require a strong proposal that demonstrates experience, expertise, capacity, technical approach, and price competitiveness.

We are always there when you need us and work 24/7 to ensure timely delivery of the documents as well as provide effective consultation to ensure proper management of your bid opportunities. Contact us today at www.gdicwins.com to find out how we can help you win the Child Care Communications Management Center contract.