Pierce County expressly reserves the rights to:Waive any and/or all irregularities in the proposals submitted.Reject any or all proposals or portions thereof.Base awards with due regard to quality of services, experience, compliance with specifications, and other such factors as may be necessary in the circumstances.Make the award to any organization or combination of organizations whose proposal(s), in the opinion of the County, is in the best interest of the County.

All proposals will be reviewed for completeness and compliance with the RFP requirements. Proposals that meet the Minimum Qualification as identified in Section 2 will advance to the formal evaluation process and be scored based on responses to RFP questions and required attachments, including Exhibit A: Budget Worksheet. An Application Evaluation Committee (AEC) comprised of Pierce County staff, local, state, and federal jurisdictional partners with expertise in procuring similar services will review and score proposals based on the requirements and content of this RFP. The AEC’s scores will then be sent to the Executive. The Executive, in consultation with Department staff, will review the proposals for geographic diversity, equal opportunity, and alignment with the Executive’s Strategic Plan. The Executive will then add to each proposal his allotted number of points, as reflected in the Scoring Criteria section of this procurement, and will make funding decisions in a manner that best benefits Pierce County, including the most effective use of funds and equitable coverage across providers.The funding recommendations would then be sent to the Council who, per PCC 4.48.020P, shall approve the expenditures.Please note, while evaluators are instructed to review and score proposals based upon the response and not upon any external experience with, or outside perception of, the proposing organization, the County reserves the right to include past contract performance with the County as part of the overall evaluation process.

"Applicant," "Bidder," and "Proposer" mean an organization, agency or provider that submits a formal response to this solicitation."Application," "Bid," or "Proposal" mean a formal response to this solicitation. “CFR” means Code of Federal Regulations.“Client,” "Participant," "Household," or "Member" means an individual (or individuals) who receives services, or is eligible to receive services, under this solicitation.“Contractor” means an individual or organization whose proposal has been accepted by the County and has been awarded a fully executed, written contract.“RCW” means Revised Code of Washington.

Pierce County is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations to deliver projects that expand access to early learning opportunities for children ages birth to 5 and their families residing in Pierce County. The County is seeking projects that remove barriers to participation in early learning programming, enhance organizational capacity to provide early learning opportunities, or strengthen family support such that families are more easily able to access and engage in early learning programs. Services, as described, must be delivered within the Pierce County Regional Transit Authority (RTA) boundaries.Projects may propose expanding access to early learning through capital improvements to early learning facilities, offering financial assistance, and/or other related initiatives, as long as the proposal can demonstrate the activity will increase access to early learning opportunities. Projects may also include support services that represent the communities of families with children they serve. The overarching goal of this funding opportunity is to increase equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities—particularly for families experiencing financial hardship, housing instability, or other systemic barriers. Proposals for capital improvement projects must demonstrate that the project will either increase the facility’s capacity to serve children and families or offer expanded early learning programming. Service-related projects should be family-centered, low-barrier, and community-responsive, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and long-term engagement. Partnerships are critical in allowing organizations to maximize resources, coordinate services, and avoid duplication. Collaborative efforts help ensure that participants receive comprehensive, culturally responsive support while leveraging the strengths and expertise of multiple stakeholders to achieve greater community impact. Whenever possible, service projects are encouraged to co-locate services and collaborate with early learning providers, community-based organizations, and family support networks to maximize impact and sustainability. Successful proposers will have processes in place to ensure that projects meaningfully improve participants’ access to services, address participant’s cultural needs, and leverage partnerships that strengthen service delivery. Successful service projects will have processes in place to determine participant eligibility and connect participants to appropriate services. Successful capital projects will have processes in place to prioritize projects that improve and increase childcare participant slots.

PROPOSERS WHO REGISTER AND DOWNLOAD RFP DOCUMENTS will be automatically added to the FOLLOWERS' list in the County's eProcurement Portal. Notifications for procurement updates, addendum and other procurement information will be sent to all who register on the Pierce County eProcurement Portal.

The County reserves the right to conduct interviews with qualified proposers prior to making a final selection. If interviews are conducted, details and information will be provided prior to any scheduling, if the timeline does not already include an interview date. Interview questions will only include questions associated with the received proposal for clarification and additional details. Interviews will not be added scores, but the evaluation team may revise initial scores with additional information provided during the interviews. The final award would be based upon the review process, interviews, and past contract performance (where applicable).

In order for an organization to be eligible to submit a proposal under this procurement, the organization must meet the following eligibility requirements:Has an ACTIVE UEI number issued by sam.gov at the time of application.Has a UBI number.Has NOT filed for bankruptcy within the past 7 years.Has NOT been part of any legal proceedings or lawsuits within the last 3 years.

Pierce County cannot accept late proposals. All proposals are due by the deadlines per the timeline under the procurement. No exceptions shall be made.

Applicants may submit proposals for one or both of the following project types. A separate application must be submitted for each project type.1. Facility and Capital EnhancementsProjects must expand or improve existing early learning and childcare facilities to increase capacity, quality, and/or accessibility. Eligible activities may include:Minor facility improvements to enhance the learning environment and improve service delivery for children and families.Upgrades to indoor or outdoor areas, including HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical work, and minor structural or roof repairs, to increase usability of early learning spaces.Modifications to meet ADA accessibility requirements in childcare facilities.Purchase and installation of age- and ability-appropriate play equipmentTechnical assistance to help childcare centers increase available slots and meet licensing or quality standards. Additional Requirements for Facility and Capital Enhancements Projects:General contractors used for capital enhancements must be licensed and bonded with the state of WA.Contractors must comply with all applicable local prevailing wage laws for all labor performed under any contract resulting from funding awarded through this procurement. See RCW 39.12. 2. Services that Reduce Barriers to Accessing Early Learning OpportunitiesProjects must either reduce barriers for families to access early learning opportunities or increase their access to such opportunities. Eligible activities may include:Offering childcare subsidies or financial assistance to offset costs and support family stability and employment.Providing navigation and family support services that help parents and caregivers overcome barriers to enrollment and participation.Ensuring families have access to resources and programs that address financial, transportation, or other access challenges.Offering training, workshops, and guidance to help parents support their child’s learning at home and navigate early childhood systems (e.g., enrollment, special education, and language supports).

In order for an organization to be eligible to submit a proposal under this procurement, the organization must meet the following eligibility requirements:Be a/an:Educational school or district; orWashington State registered non-profit with current 501(c)(3) status; orMunicipality or other governmental agency within Pierce County; orFor-profit organization working in partnership with a Washington State registered non-profit as the program lead. Please upload documentation showing the relationship between your organization and the non-profit organization.Possess a Washington State business license by the time a contract is executed (as evidenced by a UBI number when available).Possess a Federal Tax ID number. All above criteria will also apply to any subcontracted services approved by Pierce County.

All questions must be submitted within the County's eProcurement Portal, under the Question & Answer Section no later than 4:30 pm on Monday, February 2, 2026. Proposers must be registered in the eProcurement Portal software in order to submit questions, receive addenda and notifications, and ultimately submit a proposal.

All submission, timeliness, and content requirements shall be applied equally to all Proposers regardless of any current or previous relationship with the County or the proposer's relationship with the County, County staff, or elected officials. See Pierce County Code 3.12 (Code of Ethics).Proposers not selected may seek additional clarification or debrief, request time to review the selection procedures, or discuss the scoring methods utilized in the RFP process. Appeals are limited to procedural errors in the selection process. In the event no such procedural errors are found to have occurred, the decision of the County shall be final.If a proposer disagrees with the decision, they may register the appeal by sending an email to pcshsprocurement@piercecountywa.gov, within five (5) business days after the notice of selection is sent to the proposer. The appeal must state all facts and arguments upon which the appeal is based. The Director of Pierce County Human Services, or designee, will review the appeal and determine whether the rules and requirements outlined in this RFP were followed, including solicitation documents, the organizations’ proposal, and the facts which form the basis of the appeal. The Director will render a written decision within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the appeal.

The County will not reimburse organizations for any costs involved in the preparation and submission of responses to this procurement or in the preparation for and attendance at subsequent interviews.

A virtual or in-person pre-proposal meeting will be conducted by Pierce County staff at the time, date, and location as indicated in the Timeline section of this RFP.Pre-proposal meeting attendance is not required but is highly encouraged for all organizations considering a response to this procurement. It is the County’s belief that attending the meeting will assist the proposer in presenting the best possible request for funding. During the pre-proposal meeting, Pierce County staff will give an overview of the solicitation, the proposal process, an overview of the requirements, and will also be available to answer questions and provide technical assistance. Please have the instruction/proposal packet available and any questions that the organization may have related to the procurement.

The Washington State Interlocal Cooperation Act, Ch. 39.34 RCW, authorizes public agencies to cooperatively purchase goods and services if all parties agree. By responding to this RFP, Consultants agree that other public agencies may purchase goods and services under this solicitation or contract at their own cost and without Pierce County incurring any financial or legal liability for such purchases. Pierce County agrees to allow other public agencies to purchase goods and services under this solicitation or contract, provided that Pierce County is not held financially or legally liable for purchases and that any public agency purchasing under such solicitation or contract file a copy of this invitation and such contract in accordance with RCW 39.34.040.

Eligible CostsProject budgets should include only costs directly related to the program that fall into the categories below. Invoices are paid monthly on a cost reimbursement basis. If a contractor awarded funding does not expend and invoice all funds awarded, those funds will remain with the County for reallocation.Employee Related Costs:Salaries/WagesBenefits Non-employee Related Costs:EquipmentOffice and Operating Supplies Direct services Supportive services Events Facility maintenance or improvement activities Contracted professional services General contractors used for capital enhancements must be licensed and bonded with the state of WA. Ongoing Operations and Maintenance Other Costs – must be explained and approved Administrative - no more than 15% of total funded budget. Ineligible CostsPSTAA funding may not be used for:Purchase or construction of a new facility; orAny costs associated with purchasing or constructing a new facility.

Organizations should be aware that any records they submit to the County or that are used by the County even if the organization possess the records, may be public records under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). The County must promptly disclose public records upon request unless a statute exempts them from disclosure. Organizations should also be aware that if even a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, generally, the rest of the record must be disclosed. Exemptions are narrow and specific.Organizations should clearly mark any record they believe is exempt from disclosure.

The period of performance of any contract resulting from this procurement is anticipated to begin on or about the date of execution through December 31, 2027. The County has the option of extending contracts for an additional 24 months after the initial contract expires. However, no Contractor will be guaranteed an extension. Decisions whether to extend a contract will be based on Pierce County’s assessment of the Contractor’s performance as evaluated by performance measure data as described in Section 4.6 of this solicitation, as well as any additional performance outcomes or deliverables negotiated in the final contract agreement.

The total value of this procurement is $1,000,000 of Puget Sound Taxpayers Accountability Account (PSTAA) funds, based on estimated revenue. The County anticipates awarding multiple contracts from this procurement. The County reserves the right to make fewer awards or no awards, based on the quality and scope of proposals received, available funding, and identified service needs.The total funding available under this Request for Proposals (RFP) is limited and may be distributed among multiple providers. Proposers are encouraged to scale their funding requests proportionally to the scope and geographic reach of their proposed services. The County may negotiate budgets and service levels to ensure the most effective use of funds and equitable coverage across providers. The County reserves the right to adjust award amounts at its sole discretion.Additional federal, State, or local funds may become available during the contracting cycle and allocated through this solicitation. Funding may only be awarded for the same scope of services as described in this solicitation. It is important to note, any contract awarded as a result of this procurement is contingent upon the availability of funding. If at any time during the term of the contract the funding relied upon for the contract is reduced, modified, or eliminated, or if the funding terms are modified, the County reserves the right to amend the contract as appropriate or to terminate the contract.

Pierce County, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Follow instructions carefully - if attachments are provided under this procurement, they are to be utilized as part of the proposal - do not replace or use the organization's own format, as the proposal may be deemed "non-responsive" or "not eligible." All proposals are evaluated on the completeness and quality of the content. Only those proposers providing complete information as required will be considered for evaluation. The County will not contact the organization for correction of proposals and proposers are strongly encouraged to carefully review their proposals for completeness and accuracy before submitting. For proposals to be considered responsive and move to the review process, the proposer must, under Section 7, RFP Questionnaire:1. Acknowledge all required "confirmations."2. Complete all required attachments, to include uploading any supplemental documents.3. Submit the following materials as part of the proposal. The accepted file types include, .pdf, .png, .jpeg, .docx, .xlsx, and other MS Office formats. Please label all attachments.Attachment A: Budget Worksheet (Question 14.1)Pre-Award Risk Assessment and all attachments (Question 16.1), including: 2 most recent audited financial statements, including federal single audit, management letters and findings/corrective responses. Prior year Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss and Cash Flow Statements for entire year period. Current YTD Balance sheet, Profit and Loss and Cash Flow Statements. Most recent IRS annual submission, if this has not been sent, please detail why it not been filed yet. Agency’s policies and procedures for fiscal/grant accounting, including cost allocation and record retention policies. Third Party monitoring reports you may have received in last two years. 1 example of a management timesheet and 1 example of an employee (non-management) timesheet. Additional documents, as applicable.If submitting more than one proposal, you must also download, complete, and upload the following materials for each additional application under Question 17.1:Application Questions (Word) and any applicable attachmentsAttachment A: Budget Worksheet4. Acknowledge and confirm each addendum and notice issued under this procurement. The system will not allow final submission unless all required confirmations are checked.By submitting a proposal, proposer agrees that all documents, reports, proposals, submittals, working papers, or other materials prepared by the organization pursuant to this procurement shall become the sole and exclusive property of the County, and the public domain, and not property of the organization. The organization shall not copyright, or cause to be copyrighted, any portion of said items submitted to the County because of this procurement.Only electronic submittal via the County's eProcurement Portal shall be accepted for this procurement. No hard copies, emails, or fax submittals shall be accepted.

Organizations awarded funding for Capital Enhancements projects will be required to report on the following outputs:Number of new participant slots created through enhancements or technical assistance.Number of participants whose experience is improved as the result of facility upgrades. Organizations awarded funding for Services projects will be required to report on the following outputs:Number of unduplicated children served.Increased number of children served.Number of unduplicated families served. Number of children who accessed early learning services after receiving support or resources designed to reduce barriers to accessing early learning services.

Proposals must be received by the Procurement & Contract Services Department before 2:00 pm on Friday, February 13, 2026. The proposer is responsible for submission of proposal before the deadline. The County shall not be responsible for late submittals. Exceptions will not be made for proposers who miss the submission deadline, and no proposals will be accepted via email.