2022 Child Care Facilities RFP
HSD is pleased to announce the availability of up to $5,000,000 of Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (CLFR) Funds and up to $1,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to increase licensed capacity in preschool and child care facilities across the City of Seattle. Providers interested in applying for this RFP must have experience in:
- providing developmentally and culturally appropriate early learning programming;
- working with Seattle children and families most disproportionately impacted by the effects of COVID-19; and
- working with Seattle children 0 – 5 years old.
HSD is seeking applications from providers interested in capital improvements to their sites to increase licensed capacity and serve more children from birth to five years old. Funding awards will be made for the period of September 9, 2022-December 31, 2024. Please note that HSD reserves the right to do partial allocations. HSD also reserves the right to grant partial awards or to not grant any awards.
- Nonprofit and for profit, center-based providers and preschools are eligible to apply for $25,000 (min) to $2,000,000 (max)
- Nonprofit and for profit, home-based agencies are eligible to apply for $10,000 (min) to $75,000 (max)
This RFP is funded through Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery (CLFR) funding established under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA states that “the pandemic and the necessary actions taken to control the spread had a severe impact on households and small businesses, in particular low-income workers and communities and people of color.” As a result, CLFR funds should provide “assistance to those households, businesses, and non-profits in communities most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.” Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds may also be allocated through this RFP if projects that meet the fund’s eligibility criteria are identified during the review process.
Seattle Ordinance 126371 allocated CLFR funding to be invested specifically toward child care capital improvements. While the City acknowledges the need for operational funding for a healthy and equitable recovery from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, this RFP is focused on the complementary need for physical facilities expansion. For additional information on operational funding, see the Additional Resources section on page 7.
HSD offered one Information Session on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 Noon PDT and a second Information Session on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PDT via Cisco WebEx online virtual meeting technology. The slide deck and a copy of the questions and answers are available on this webpage. Any agency interested in learning more about this RFP was encouraged to attend the session and ask questions. Attendance is not required.
The Last Day to Submit Questions was Tuesday, July 12, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. PDT. HSD will not provide individual notice of changes; and applicants are responsible for regularly checking this web page for answers to questions, process updates, clarifications, or amendments. HSD will not pay for any costs organizations may incur while they are preparing their application, providing information requested by HSD, or participating in the selection process.
This RFP is competitive and open to all for profit and non-profit agencies. Non-profit organizations must meet the standard HSD Agency Minimum Eligibility Requirements. All providers must meet additional requirements outlined in Guidelines and Program Requirements. Completed application packets were due by 12:00 Noon PDT, on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Applications may be submitted electronically via:
- HSD's Online Submission System at: http://web6.seattle.gov/hsd/rfi/index.aspx
- or email at HSD_RFP_RFQ_Email_Submissions@seattle.gov. Email attachments are limited to 30 MB. The subject heading must be titled: 2022 Child Care Facilities RFP.
Any risks associated with submitting a proposal by email are borne by the applicant. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt of their application. No faxed or mailed applications will be accepted.
Questions?
Please contact Ken Astrein or Ramlah Ringold Olt, Funding Process Coordinators, via email with any questions about this RFP or to request an accommodation for the information session: childcarefacilities@seattle.gov