Specifications include, but are not limited to:The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) provides services for children in Massachusetts through a mixed delivery system which includes child care centers, out- of-school time programs, family child care homes, public preschool programs, private school preschool and kindergarten, and Head Start programs. EEC is responsible for licensing early education and care and out-of-school time programs throughout Massachusetts and for providing child care financial assistance to low-income families with children birth to 13 years of age. In addition, EEC provides support for information and referral services, inclusive programming for children with special needs, parenting and family support, and professional development opportunities for educators in the early education and out-of-school-time fields. These efforts affect thousands of early education and out-of school-time providers who serve more than 275,000 children each day. In its broadest role, EEC also serves as a source of information to more than one million families in Massachusetts. Toward that end, EEC periodically develops and implements pilot programs designed to more specifically meet the needs of children in care. Data collection and evaluation of these pilot projects to determine if they are efficient, effective, and worthy of replication are critical to their success. Through this procurement EEC is seeking to establish a list of researcher/evaluator consultants from which it will draw on an “as needed” basis to provide validated data, perform studies, and evaluate policies and program initiatives in the future. The selected consultants may be required to advise EEC on methods for data collection, research policy issues and evaluate program outcomes. In addition, the selected consultants may be asked to perform surveys and other studies that focus on child care providers and staff. The consultants may also be required to assist by providing them with valid data, performing data analysis, and incorporating data into existing databases. EEC is seeking to establish a list of qualified researchers, evaluators, and consultants, either individuals or organizations, from which it will draw on an “as needed” basis to provide data; conduct research; and perform periodic studies, surveys, and evaluations of EEC program initiatives. The researchers, evaluators, and consultants may gather, analyze data, and/or provide expertise necessary for EEC to develop and implement child care policies and programs that promote the best outcomes for children, families, and communities across the Commonwealth. Note: EEC does not guarantee that it will purchase services from all of the successful bidders who are deemed qualified through this process. EEC’s purpose in establishing a list of “qualified” researcher/evaluator consultants is to pre-determine qualifications, contract terms, prices, and the contractor’s availability to assist in drafting grant proposals, collect, analyze, store data and generate the reports necessary for program evaluations and research projects as needed. Reports must be generated in a manner that is compatible with the data gathered and research done on related initiatives at EEC. The scope of services will vary depending on the specific project and will be identified at the time of contract award. Consultants interested in providing services will be expected to work collaboratively with EEC designated staff to define the scope of services including estimated timelines and resource needs.