County of San Mateo - Center-Based Child Care Gap Funding Services - RFP 2026
San Mateo CountyCounty · Redwood City, CA- Due
- Dec 1, 2026
- 27 days left
- Posted
- Nov 3, 2026
- Contract term
- 3 years
- Primary contact
- Erika Martinez
- (650) 295-3713
The 30-second brief
The County of San Mateo Human Services Agency is seeking proposals from qualified center-based child care providers to deliver licensed, high-quality child care services and financial gap funding for eligible low-income families and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The program provides child care subsidies, tuition assistance, and cost coverage up to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Regional Market Rate (RMR) ceilings in San Mateo County. Proposals are due by December 1, 2026, with a question deadline of November 11, 2026, and a notice of interest deadline of November 11, 2026. The contract term is three years with one two-year option to extend, and services are scheduled to begin in January 2027. Evaluation criteria include Project Approach (30%), Firm Qualifications (25%), Team Qualifications (20%), and Price (25%).
Project Approach (30%), Firm Qualifications (25%), Team Qualifications (20%), Price (25%)
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Summary
The County of San Mateo Human Services Agency is seeking proposals from qualified center-based child care providers to deliver licensed, high-quality child care services and financial gap funding for eligible low-income families and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The program provides child care subsidies, tuition assistance, and cost coverage up to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Regional Market Rate (RMR) ceilings in San Mateo County. Proposals are due by December 1, 2026, with a question deadline of November 11, 2026, and a notice of interest deadline of November 11, 2026. The contract term is three years with one two-year option to extend, and services are scheduled to begin in January 2027. Evaluation criteria include Project Approach (30%), Firm Qualifications (25%), Team Qualifications (20%), and Price (25%).
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
4- SMC_LocalBusiness_self-attestation form
- Technical Proposal
- Fee Proposal
- Levine Act Disclosure Form
- Submit to
- https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/smcgov
- Duration
- 60 months
- Scope location
- San Mateo, CA
- Reported agency
- County of San Mateo
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from San Mateo County?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is December 1, 2026. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/smcgov. For questions, contact Erika Martinez.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including San Mateo County in CA, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Erika Martinez at (650) 295-3713. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Project Approach (30%), Firm Qualifications (25%), Team Qualifications (20%), Price (25%)" Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from San Mateo County?
All active and historical solicitations from San Mateo County are tracked and searchable. As a county agency, San Mateo County regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 3 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of December 1, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: SMC_LocalBusiness_self-attestation form, Technical Proposal, Fee Proposal, Levine Act Disclosure Form. Review the full document from San Mateo County for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: San Mateo, CA. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.