Office of Early Childhood - Early Start CT Endowment Expansion RFA #2 - 2026
Office of Early Childhood | State of ConnecticutState · Hartford, CT- Due
- Oct 30, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Oct 2, 2026
- Duration
- 18 months
- Primary contact
- Kyle Pilon
- (860) 500-4412
The 30-second brief
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood invites applications for the Early Start CT Endowment Expansion Request for Applications #2. This funding opportunity awards $13,000,000 per fiscal year to support new early care and education spaces for infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age children across Connecticut. Approximately 1,000 new Early Start CT spaces will be created, with 35% dedicated to infant and toddler care. Eligible program types include child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and license-exempt programs. Applications are due by October 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Evaluation criteria encompass Child Care Access, Child Opportunity Index, accreditation, full-time versus half-time spaces, Care4Kids acceptance, and infant/toddler space share.
Early Start CT spaces for infant, Toddler, Preschool, And school-age children
Child Care Access, Child Opportunity Index, Accreditation, Full time or half-time spaces, Accepts Care4Kids, Share of requested Infant/Toddler spaces, Expansion of licensing capacity, Applicant in zip code with little to no ESCT presence
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Summary
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood invites applications for the Early Start CT Endowment Expansion Request for Applications #2.
This funding opportunity awards $13,000,000 per fiscal year to support new early care and education spaces for infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age children across Connecticut. Approximately 1,000 new Early Start CT spaces will be created, with 35% dedicated to infant and toddler care. Eligible program types include child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, and license-exempt programs. Applications are due by October 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Evaluation criteria encompass Child Care Access, Child Opportunity Index, accreditation, full-time versus half-time spaces, Care4Kids acceptance, and infant/toddler space share.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
8- Child Care Access
- Child Opportunity Index
- Accreditation
- Full time or half-time spaces
- Accepts Care4Kids
- Share of requested Infant/Toddler spaces
- Expansion of licensing capacity
- Applicant in zip code with little to no ESCT presence
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
4- Early Start CT spaces for infant
- Toddler
- Preschool
- School-age children
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
Proof of expansion capacity, grant letter or evidence of funding
- Submit to
- [email protected]
- Scope location
- Hartford, CT
- Reported agency
- Office of Early Childhood
Questions about this RFEI
How do I respond to this RFEI from Office of Early Childhood | State of Connecticut?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 30, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: [email protected]. For questions, contact Kyle Pilon.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFEI?
Most government agencies, including Office of Early Childhood | State of Connecticut in CT, 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 RFEI 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 Kyle Pilon at (860) 500-4412. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Early Start CT spaces for infant, Toddler, Preschool, And school-age children. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
Show 5 more questions
What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Child Care Access, Child Opportunity Index, Accreditation, Full time or half-time spaces, Accepts Care4Kids, Share of requested Infant/Toddler spaces, Expansion of licensing capacity, Applicant in zip..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Office of Early Childhood | State of Connecticut?
All active and historical solicitations from Office of Early Childhood | State of Connecticut are tracked and searchable. As a state agency, Office of Early Childhood | State of Connecticut 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 18 months. Contract terms may include renewal options.
What documents are required to bid on this RFEI?
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: Proof of expansion capacity, grant letter or evidence of funding. Review the full document from Office of Early Childhood | State of Connecticut for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Hartford, CT. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.
