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Basic Information

Reference Number

0000408001

Issuing Organization

Lutheran Services Florida

Solicitation Type

RFP - Request for Proposal (Informal)

Solicitation Number

RFP-2026-002

Title

RFP-2026-002 Child Care Provider Pinellas County

Source ID

PU.AG.USA.2248199.C14609651

Details

Location

United States, Florida, Pinellas County

Piggyback Contract

Description

At Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), we are looking for experienced, licensed childcare providers in

Florida who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children. Our goal is to partner with local childcare centers to help deliver Head Start and Early Head Start services for the 2025–2026 program year, starting in March 2026.
By issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP), we’re inviting qualified childcare providers to join our Early Head Start/Head Start (EHS/HS) Child Care Partnership. Through this partnership, LSF provides federal funding to local centers to offer quality services to children enrolled in our EHS/HS programs. As a Child Care Partner, your center will follow Federal Head Start and Early Head Start guidelines, ensuring the children you serve receive the same high-quality benefits as those in LSF-operated programs.

This is free childcare for eligible parents, and LSF will compensate awarded providers for their services, as we receive federal funding to support this effort. We understand that community involvement is key to the success of early childhood education. That’s why we rely on local childcare providers to bring their unique expertise and connection to the community, ensuring that children have the support they need to thrive. Our Child Care Partners are an essential part of this effort, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
LSF will provide ongoing oversight, training, and support to ensure that all program standards are met. This includes monitoring partner performance, reviewing attendance records, and health screenings for the children enrolled in the program. Additionally, we ensure compliance with important regulations from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Early Learning Coalitions (ECS).
Joining forces with LSF as a Child Care Partner means becoming part of a larger mission to make sure children are prepared for school and ready for life. Your center will benefit from our established resources, training, and support while playing a vital role in providing high-quality early childhood education. We believe that through collaboration, we can build stronger, healthier communities and create lasting impacts for children and their families.

If you're looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families, we invite you to consider becoming a Child Care Partner with LSF. Together, we can help provide the foundation every child deserves for a bright future.

Contract slots to be awarded from this RFP:
Open Early Head Start Slots: 24
Open Head Start Slots: 67
County: Pinellas County

Dates

Publication

12/29/2025 11:41 AM EST

Bid Intent

Not Available

Question Acceptance Deadline

12/29/2025 05:00 PM EST

Questions are submitted online

Closing Date

01/29/2026 05:00 PM EST

Other

01/14/2026 06:00 PM EST

Contact Information

Lisa Schultz

813-244-5683

lisa.schultz@lsfnet.org

Pre-Bidding Events

Event Type

Mandatory Informational Meeting

Attendance

Mandatory

Event date

01/14/2026 06:00 PM EST

Location

TEAMS meeting
Event Note
1. MANDATORY INFORMATIONAL MEETING
The Informational Meeting is a must for everyone interested in submitting a proposal. It will be held on Wednesday, January 14th, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm EST virtually via Microsoft Teams. Please note that this meeting will be recorded, and AI may be used for note-taking during the call. If you have any concerns regarding the use of AI, please email LSFPROCUREMENT@LSFNET.ORG in advance.

This meeting is an important opportunity for all interested vendors to gain a deeper understanding of our Head Start programs, what we do, and how we serve the community. Our Local Program Director will be in attendance to provide additional insights into the RFP (Request for Proposal), explain the requirements, and answer any questions you may have.
Attendance is mandatory for anyone submitting a proposal. Each company must have at least one representative in attendance. Failure to attend this meeting will result in your inability to submit a response to this RFP. We host these meetings to ensure that all interested offerors have the chance to fully understand the process, the expectations, and the partnership opportunity. This ensures everyone is on the same page and can submit a well-informed, complete proposal.
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Bid Submission Process

Bid Submission Type

Physical Bid Submission

Additional Bidding Instructions

PRE-DETERMINATION APPLICATION

Completion of the attached predetermination application is required for prequalification to ensure that you meet all mandatory minimum qualifications outlined in the RFP. If you meet the mandatory minimum requirements, you will be notified via email that LSF is moving forward with the evaluation

process. You will then be asked to submit all checklist documents and undergo a QA site inspection. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we will notify you via email, and no further action will be required on your part.

The document will be provided as an attachment to this RFP. If you require a copy, please email LSFPROCUREMENT@LSFNET.ORG

SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL

All proposals must be submitted by the deadline specified in this document. Late submissions will not be accepted. LSF is not responsible for delays caused by mail services, and no special accommodations will be made for late submissions. We strongly recommend using certified mail to ensure timely submission. Additionally, LSF is not liable for any fees or costs associated with the submission process.
Please note that LSF will not return hard copies of submitted documents after the RFP process. If requested, we will return digital copies. LSF is not responsible for any costs related to the submission or collection of documents.

Follow the specific instructions below for submission:
Email Submission
To be considered, your documents must be submitted by email to LSFPROCUREMENT@LSFNET.ORG by the due date in section “TIMELINE”. Proposals submitted after the due date will not be accepted. Submissions sent to any other email address will be automatically disqualified. The subject line of the email must be formatted as: “RFP-2026-002”. Failure to include this subject line may result in your proposal being missed or rejected. LSF is not responsible for any issues related to improper submission. (See RFP for item listing)

File Formats: Only the following formats will be accepted: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, or .xlsx. No other file formats will be considered.
Combined Documents: If submitting multiple files, we prefer that all documents be combined into a single file. If multiple files must be submitted, please label each document clearly for proper identification. Example #1, #2 etc. in the top right corner.

Important Note: LSF is not responsible for any delays in email delivery. Proposals must be received on time.

Disclaimer
Thank you for your interest in our bid opportunities and we welcome you to submit a response. Please be sure to review and comply with all specifications and requirements.