Request for Proposals: Child Care Industry Expert Consultant CCIF
Technical Assistance Program

Project Overview: The Northwest Native Chamber is seeking an experienced childcare
Industry Expert Consultant to provide our team with assistance in the execution, creations,
technological aspects and delivery of training materials for CCIF Grant Applicants. This critical
initiative aims to support childcare providers across Oregon, including Tribal providers. The
selected consultant will work closely with our staff to ensure the program effectively meets the
diverse needs of these providers.

Urgency and Quick Selection Process: Time is of the essence for this project. We have implemented an accelerated selection process and aim to onboard the consultant within 3-4 weeks of the RFP release date. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with early submissions strongly encouraged. The selected consultant should be prepared to begin work immediately, with flexibility for a phased start if needed.

Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities: The consultant will provide assistance, expert
advice and strategic guidance in the following areas:

• Advising the Chamber in the Development of a comprehensive collection of educational materials and resources tailored for childcare providers, including Tribal providers and CCIF Applicants.
• Reviewing and providing recommendations for NWNC’s impact measurement systems (data collection tools, processes, and reporting) to provide recommendations.
• Supporting the development of NWNC’s CCIF TA Framework to provide recommendations.
• Advising on best practices for creating resources and materials to support CCIF grant applications.
• Providing industry insights for business acumen training content.
• Developing systems of monitoring and compliance to support Child Care Provider use of public funding and strengthen ongoing business acumen.
• Recommending strategies for effective one-on-one consultations with childcare providers.
• Identifying key collaborations with local, regional, and state business support organizations.
• Providing 1:1 assistance to businesses via Professional Service Provider referrals.

Key Deliverables: The consultant will assist our team in developing and refining the
following deliverables:

• Review the comprehensive collection of educational materials and resources tailored for childcare providers, including Tribal providers and CCIF applicants.
• Provide a detailed report with recommendations for enhancements and best practices.
• Review existing impact measurement systems, including data collection tools, processes, and reporting mechanisms.
• Deliver an evaluation report with recommendations for improvements and optimizations.
• Conduct a thorough review of the CCIF Technical Assistance (TA) Framework.
• Provide a detailed report with suggestions and strategies to enhance the framework based on best practices and industry standards.
• Advise on best practices for creating and improving resources and materials to support
  CCIF grant applications.
• Provide industry insights and recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the
  training content.
• Review existing systems for monitoring and compliance to support childcare providers in the use of public funding and Provide recommendations to strengthen these systems and support ongoing business acumen.
• Recommend strategies for effective one-on-one consultations with childcare providers.
• Identify and document key collaborations with local, regional, and state business support organizations.

Qualifications:

• Experience working with Tribal communities and understanding of their unique needs and contexts
• Track record in reviewing and providing recommendations for educational or training materials
• Experience in the childcare sector, partially with childcare providers and public funding.
• Strong analytical and evaluation skills, with the ability to review complex systems and provide recommendations.
• Written and verbal communication skills, capable of producing clear, concise reports and presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Familiarity with grant application processes and requirements.
• Understanding of best practices for supporting small businesses.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including Tribal communities, childcare providers, and business support organizations.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity, particularly in working with Native American
  communities and understanding their unique challenges and opportunities.

Budget:
The estimated budget for this project is $30,000 – $40,000 over the course of one year.

Submission Requirements:

• A detailed description of their relevant experience and qualifications
• A proposed approach to providing strategic guidance for this project
• Proposed consulting fees and availability

Evaluation Criteria:

• Depth and relevance of industry expertise
• Understanding of the project’s strategic needs
• Quality of proposed approach
• Demonstrated impact in similar roles
• Cost-effectiveness

Timeline:

• RFP Release Date: August 15th
• Proposal Due Date: Open until Filled
• First Round Review: September 13th, 2024
• Project End Date: June 30, 2025

We encourage interested consultants to reach out with any questions or clarifications needed to
expedite the proposal process. Our team is committed to providing quick responses to facilitate
rapid proposal development. Please submit your proposals to CCIFSupport@NWNC.org.