Tennessee



Preschool Development Grant – Expansion (PDG-E) Contractor Solicitation:Supporting Metropolitan Nashville Public SchoolsSeptember 10, 2018Tennessee Department of EducationCandice McQueenCommissioner of EducationElizabeth AlvesAssistant CommissionerDarlene Estes-Del ReExecutive Director of the Office of Early LearningJessica LordEarly Childhood Education Program ManagerBACKGROUNDFederal Preschool Development Grant – Expansion (PDG-E) funds have supported the work of the Tennessee Department of Education and local education agencies in Memphis and Nashville to improve the quality of Tennessee’s preschool (pre-K) programs and services. PDG-E’s objectives are:To significantly increase pre-K access for eligible children in high needs communitiesTo strengthen quality through upgrading existing pre-K seats to include all elements of high-quality preschool programsTo strength alignment of the birth to third grade continuumTo build Tennessee’s pre-K infrastructure as driven by measurable program improvementsTo support and expand the local communities’ infrastructure for future sustainabilityThe federal Preschool Development Grant-Expansion continues to play an integral role in transforming early childhood education for children and families in Davidson County. Utilizing PDG-E funds, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) has expanded access to high quality preschool programs and strengthened the quality of existing classrooms. Funds have also allowed MNPS to provide professional development to strengthen the birth through third grade continuum. In the Nashville area, 240 new seats were added in 2016 for a total of 440 in the first two years of the grant. MNPS has been afforded the opportunity to embed the constructivist approach, provide guidance for shared and integrated reading, create a strategy to reduce transition times, develop a plan to support pre-K teachers and other teachers to provide engaged teaching and learning for English Learners, as well as begin the steps for creating environments that will support the social-emotional needs of its youngest learners in all classrooms. PDG-E funding has allowed MNPS to create effective systems and establish clear expectations, which will continue to positively impact principals, teachers, families, and students in grades pre-K through third grade. SOLICITATION INTRODUCTIONOne (1) fee-for-service contract will be awarded to support MNPS in the implementation of their grant activities as well as provide support to the State. This contract will be awarded beginning approximately in October 2018 and ending June 30, 2019. Contractors must meet the following minimum requirements:Contractor has early childhood degree and/or other relevant educational background Contractor has ability to travel within Davidson County as requiredContractor has experience working in early childhood (teacher, coach, administrator)Contractor has knowledge of the Preschool Development Grant (awarded to Tennessee through the U.S. Department of Education), the Rules of the State Board of Education, Chapter 0520-12-01: Standards for School-administered Child Care, Tennessee’s Read to be Ready program, and the Tennessee Early Childhood Education Early Learning Development Standards (TN-ELDS).Contractor has ability to commit to a weekly schedule of up to 40 hours during standard business hoursContractor has good interpersonal skills, is relational, and a strong collaboratorContractor has experience leading trainings and/or professional development for adult learnersContractor has experience in data collection and analysis Contractor has demonstrated abilities to observe classroom instruction and provide appropriate feedback for continuous improvementContractor has strong organizational skillsContractor has provided three (3) professional referencesThe awarded contract will not exceed $50,000 total. Contractor’s compensation shall be contingent upon satisfactory provision of goods and services set forth as minimum requirements and responsibilities. Contractor shall be compensated on the following payment methodology:Goods or Services DescriptionAmount (per compensable increment)Preschool Development Grant-Expansion support at up to 40 hours/week$34 per hour, not to exceed $46,500 per contractTravel Reimbursement, subject to amounts and limitations specified in the current “State Comprehensive Travel Regulations”Not to exceed $3,500 per contractRESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTORThe Contractor will support the implementation of the Preschool Development Grant-Expansion in MNPS. This includes providing oversight, technical assistance, training, and coaching to ensure pre-K classrooms supported by this grant meet the definition of high-quality preschool classrooms. The Contractor shall monitor PDG expansion and enhancement classrooms for compliance with goals and program elements specified by the grant in order to meet definition of high-quality preschoolsThe Contractor shall collect data on classroom level activities, teacher interactions, and environmental quality of these classroomsThe Contractor shall provide technical assistance to MNPS to develop an annual Scope of Work and budgetThe Contractor shall assist child care program evaluators as requested to address identified issuesThe Contractor shall collect and summarize data requested throughout the school year from the MNPS as well as annual family survey results and end of the year monitoring reportsThe Contractor shall maintain records of communication and visits to the PDG classrooms or grades K-3 as requested by the MNPS or the Department of EducationThe Contractor shall assist with the development of training modules and/or identifying community resources to provide identified training needsThe Contractor shall support program evaluations including training sessions conducted by Vanderbilt University’s Peabody Research InstituteThe Contractor shall collaborate and communicate with the state PDG team regarding any additional needs and requirements as set forth by the Preschool Development GrantThe Contractor shall represent the State as requested at meetingsThe Contractor shall participate in PDG activities and committeesThe Contractor shall send a bi-monthly report to Executive Director of the Office of Early Learning or the Voluntary Pre-K Director that documents work activitiesThe Contractor shall maintain accurate and updated filesThe Contractor shall work in conjunction with the state to collect data and to complete all reports. The Contractor shall maintain detailed documentation logs on all activities, schedules, services provided and referred, travel, time, and communication logs; the logs shall be kept on file and provided to the State upon request HOW TO APPLYResponses to this solicitation must be submitted electronically to Jessica.Lord@ no later than 4pm CT, October 5, 2018. For consideration, responses must include all of the following: (1) Letter of intent highlighting technical qualifications and experiences, (2) Current resume, and (3) Three professional references.If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jessica Lord at email address stated above. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the appropriateness and adequacy of responses related this solicitation. Contracts are subject to funds availability and final approval by the state procurement offices.APPLICATION EVALUATIONApplicants must address all items (below) and provide, in a cover letter, the information and documentation as required. An Application Evaluation Team will independently evaluate and score the Respondent’s application materials. Each evaluator will use the following whole number, raw point scale for scoring each item:0=little value 1=poor 2=fair 3=satisfactory 4=good 5=excellentThe contract will be awarded for provision of these services to the applicant with the top score. Technical Qualifications, Experiences, & Approach Item ScoreEvaluation FactorRaw Weighted ScoreRespondent has early childhood degree and/or other relevant educational background 15Respondent has experience working in early childhood (teacher, coach, and/or administrator).15Respondent has experience in data collection and analysis 15Respondent has demonstrated abilities to observe classroom instruction and provide appropriate feedback for continuous improvement15Respondent has good interpersonal skills, is relational, and a strong collaborator. (20 minute interview)15Respondent has strong organizational skills10Respondent has knowledge of Preschool Development Grant, Chapter 0520-12-01 - Standards for School-administered Child Care, Read to be Ready, and TN-ELDS.5Respondent has experience leading trainings and/or professional development for adult learners.5Respondent has provided three (3) professional references that demonstrate good fit for this opportunity. 5 ................
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