Request For Proposals
QUEST FOR PROPOSALS
QUEST FOR PROPOSALS
QUEST FOR PROPOSALS
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR GENERAL CHILDCARE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, AFTER SCHOOL EDUCATION AND SAFETY PROGRAM, AND EXPANDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM SERVICES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Sausalito Marin City School District (“District”) is requesting proposals from interested and qualified organizations to provide services for the District’s General Childcare and Development Program (“CCTR”), After School Education and Safety Program (“ASES”), and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (“ELO-P”) School-Age Program, serving children ages 4 to 14 (grades TK through 8), during the 2026-27 school year, at the District’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy Nevada Campus, located at 636 Nevada Street in Sausalito, California.
The RFP is posted on the District’s webpage at: www.smcsd.org. Respondents to the Request for Proposals (“RFP”) should submit an electronic version of their proposal and all other documents required by the RFP (“Proposal”) in PDF format via email with the subject “CCTR/ASES/ELOP School-Age RFP - [Respondent’s Name] Proposal” to Elizabeth Henry, Director of Instruction at ehenry@smcsd.org. FAXED OR MAILED RESPONSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
ALL PROPOSALS ARE DUE BY 5:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026. Any Proposal received after that date and time will not be accepted. If you have any questions regarding the RFP, please contact Elizabeth Henry, Director of Instruction by emailing ehenry@smcsd.org no later than 3:00 P.M. on Monday, January 26, 2026. Questions must be submitted in writing and answers will be posted on the District’s website at https://www.smcsd.org under the “About Us” tab by 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Is the district open to leasing the open child care rooms to support an on-site program for infant toddler using an organization's own CCTR contract (not the district's), if chosen as an operator running CCTR school-age program for this RFP?
This option may be considered by the District if there is available space to rent under the District’s facility use program pursuant to the Civic Center Act. This process would entail a separate proposal and facility use agreement if selected as the CCTR subcontractor. The leasing of school facilities for an independent CCTR infant/toddler program is not within the scope of this RFP.
Can an operator subcontract under the RFP to support best quality and financial integrity?
Yes, pursuant to “Coordination with Community Organizations” requirements in Exhibit A of the Subcontract for CCTR Services and Independent Contractor Agreement for ASES and ELO-P Services:
“In the event that Subcontractor wishes to partner with a community-based organization in the delivery of the Services, Subcontractor shall enter into a written agreement with the community-based organization, which written agreement shall require compliance with all requirements set forth in this Agreement, including without limitation, indemnification of the District, satisfaction of insurance requirements naming Subcontractor, District and its Board as additional insureds, and completion of a fingerprint and background check certification. All such written agreements shall be submitted to District, before execution by Subcontractor, for review and preapproval by District to ensure all applicable requirements of this Agreement are included, and insurance certificates and fingerprinting certificates shall be provided to District before commencement of any services by the community-based organization.”
Will the selected operator be partnering with specialist enrichment providers (e.g. music, arts, STEAM), and if so, is there a way for organizations like ours to be considered as a program partner or subcontractor?
Yes, selected operators are permitted to subcontract, within their discretion, pursuant to “Coordination with Community Organizations” requirements in Exhibit A of the Subcontract for CCTR Services and Independent Contractor Agreement for ASES and ELO-P Services:
“In the event that Subcontractor wishes to partner with a community-based organization in the delivery of the Services, Subcontractor shall enter into a written agreement with the community-based organization, which written agreement shall require compliance with all requirements set forth in this Agreement, including without limitation, indemnification of the District, satisfaction of insurance requirements naming Subcontractor, District and its Board as additional insureds, and completion of a fingerprint and background check certification. All such written agreements shall be submitted to District, before execution by Subcontractor, for review and preapproval by District to ensure all applicable requirements of this Agreement are included, and insurance certificates and fingerprinting certificates shall be provided to District before commencement of any services by the community-based organization.”
If an applicant proposes CCTR services, must the provider already hold the required CDSS childcare license at the time of proposal submission, or is a licensing plan acceptable if compliance is achieved by July 1, 2026?
Any licensing plan should be addressed in the proposal’s narrative pursuant to Section IV.F (Child Care Requirements) and such licensing plan would need to be submitted to and approved by CDSS.
What specific childcare license category does the District expect for the school-age CCTR program (e.g., Title 22 center-based, license-exempt, etc.)?
Title 22 Center Based
For the CCTR school-age contract, what are the required daily hours of operation (before school, after school, full-day on non-school days), and how does CCTR coverage relate to the 30 intersession days and summer expectations?
The CCTR school-age program is expected to serve students every day after school on regular school days, from the end of the school day to at least 6:00 pm. The 30 intersession (non-school) days must be 9 hour days (e.g., 8:30 AM -5:30 PM).
Does the District have preferred procedures or required standards for parent complaint resolution, responsiveness, and family communication beyond what applicants propose?
Yes, pursuant to Exhibit A of the Subcontract for CCTR Services, the Family Engagement and Education expectations are as follows:
- a) Subcontractor will strongly emphasize and encourage regular attendance through texting, phone calls and other parent/caregiver outreach which will occur throughout the school year in partnership with school administration and teachers. Regular attendance will support both program planning but, more importantly, regular attendance will ensure students get consistent academic support and enrichment opportunities. Subcontractor will plan and implement outreach to the elementary school community.
- b) Provide an orientation for parents, including an interpreter when necessary for effective staff/parent communication.
- c) Maintain an open-door policy that encourages participation in the daily program activities whenever possible.
- d) Ensure that site director meets with each family within thirty (30) days after enrollment.
- e) Collaborate with the District on promoting a community-based model through partnering with community organizations. This may include a home visiting model based on community input, education for families and social gathering opportunities.
- f) Align with core elements of District’s community school model including offering trauma training to our staff and families (as appropriate), actively providing access to informal community-based support, scheduling to accommodate families whenever possible, understanding that caregivers may not always be available due to the demands of their work, and understanding that students live in a wide variety of family structures.
- g) Utilize the Intake form used during enrollment and the one-on-one orientation meeting with site supervisor and new families to connect families to community resources and early intervention such as Help-me-Grow, community clinics and health and human services, as well as comprehensive support services, early intervention and health/mental health services.
- h) Coordinate with the District’s Community Schools Director. Community involvement is embedded in the District’s Community School’s Model.
Should applicants submit separate budgets and not-to-exceed contract amounts for CCTR and ASES/ELO-P, or one combined budget if applying for both?
The District would prefer one combined budget if applying for both funding sources.
Can the District clarify how the retained 15% of ASES/ELO-P funds is used (administration, staffing, district oversight, etc.), and should applicants budget assuming receipt of 85%?
No more than 15% of the total funding can be used for administrative costs and at least 85% of the grant must be spent on direct services to students. Applicants can budget assuming receipt of the 85% but final contract award amount will be determined by the District.
Should the contractor operate CACFP meal service directly, or will meals/snacks be supported through District nutrition services?
The District provides a daily nutritional snack for afterschool programming, and breakfast and lunch for the 9-hour, 30 intersession days.
What specific facilities/classrooms will be available for the program, and will these be dedicated program spaces or shared spaces requiring daily setup/takedown?
Daily programming will take place at the Nevada campus and contractors will work with the site administrator to determine which classroom and other shared campus spaces will be utilized. All spaces are shared and expected to be left in the condition/set up in which they are found.
The District allocation references approximately 120 students for ASES/ELO-P. Is the selected provider expected to serve the full number immediately, or is a phased rollout (e.g., an initial cohort) acceptable?
The District expects the contractor to serve a minimum of 120 students immediately.
Does the District expect full-day summer programming, or after-school-style enrichment blocks during summer?
Summer programming is not required. Thirty (30) inter-session days throughout the year are required and can be a combination of summer, spring break, and winter breaks. These days must be full 9-hour days.
Can the District provide the specific 2026–27 dates that count as the required “30 intersession days,” and the expected daily hours of operation during those periods?
The calendar for the 30 intersession days can be co-developed between the District and the provider. The 30 days must meet the 9-hour daily requirement.
Please clarify minimum requirements for the applying agency at the time of applying.
The RFP is seeking full-service ELOP providers. Does the district also accept submissions from enrichment providers that offer supplemental programming (such as cooking and STEM classes) as part of this RFP? If not, will there be a separate RFP, RFQ, or other opportunity to present enrichment-only programs to the district?
Supplemental programming is not within the scope of this RFP, as the District seeks full-service childcare providers.
