About this opportunity
AI summaryThe County of San Mateo Human Services Agency seeks proposals from qualified, onshore center-based child care providers to deliver high-quality, licensed child care gap funding services. Selected providers will serve eligible low-income families and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability, ensuring County assistance supplements existing subsidies and scholarships. Tasks include delivering developmentally appropriate care, maintaining licensing, tracking enrollment and attendance, and certifying customary tuition rates. Only United States organizations are eligible to bid. Proposers must submit technical proposals and separate fee proposal PDF files digitally via email or online, and work will be performed offsite over a three-year contract period. Questions are due no later than November 11, 2026. The County will evaluate submissions to award the responsive, responsible proposer offering the overall best value.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- County of San Mateo
Scope of work
- Provide safe, reliable, developmentally appropriate, and high-quality center-based child care services to eligible children and families
- Maintain all required child care licenses, permits, and approvals in good standing throughout the agreement term
- Comply with all applicable staff qualification, health, safety, licensing, and child care program requirements
- Maintain accurate and complete enrollment, attendance, and other required program records
- Communicate with families regarding enrollment, schedules, attendance, fees, and available child care subsidies, scholarships, and financial assistance
- Accept applicable child care subsidies and scholarships or demonstrate ability to become an approved provider
- Submit required quarterly progress reports using the provided program attachment, invoices, and supporting documentation
- Submit eligible child care costs to HSA for County funding subject to applicable Regional Market Rate ceilings
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Technical Proposal / Experience providing child care services to eligible children and families | 30 |
| Proposed price and cost / Relevant experience and approach | 25 |
| Organizational qualifications, relevant experience, and key personnel summaries | 20 |
| Price / Detailed fee proposal | 25 |
Minimum qualifications
- Licensed, center-based child care facility located within San Mateo County, California
- Maintain all required child care licenses, permits, and approvals in good standing
- Registered with System for Award Management (SAM)
- Demonstrated experience serving low-income families and/or families receiving child care subsidies or scholarships through CDSS or other programs
- Ability to comply with applicable staff qualification, health, safety, licensing, and program requirements
- Ability to begin providing services in January 2027
Documents to include with your response
- Technical Proposal
- Fee Proposal (submitted as a separate PDF file)
- Letter of introduction and executive summary
- Organizational chart of key personnel and brief descriptions of experience and qualifications
- Written assurance regarding key personnel assignment
- Child care license information and current licensing status
- Self-attestation form for local preference (if applicable)
- OSDS Small Business or Micro Business Certification ID (if applicable)
- Latest filed IRS Form 990 from the last two filing periods (if applicable)
- County of San Mateo Levine Act Disclosure Form (if selected/required)
Key dates
- RFP Released
- November 3, 2026
- Deadline for Questions and Comments
- November 11, 2026, 12:00pm
- Proposal Due Date and Time
- November 30, 2026, 6:00pm
- Anticipated Contract Award Date
- January 4, 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via eProcurement portal
- Instructions
- Upload via the eProcurement website by 6:00 pm on Monday, November 30, 2026; include proposer name, RFP title, and number in each filename; PDF format preferred; Times New Roman minimum 12-point font; fee proposal must be a separate PDF file.
Contract details
- Term
- Three (3) years, with one (1) option to extend
- Place of performance
- At a licensed, center-based child care facility located within San Mateo County, California
- Funding
- California Department of Social Services (CDSS) child care subsidy framework and County funding