Carlsbad Municipal Schools is seeking proposals for the third-party operation and management of a licensed child care facility. The selected contractor will be responsible for all aspects of program operation, including obtaining and maintaining ECECD licensure, staffing, curriculum development, family enrollment and billing, and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The initial contract term is one year, with options for three additional one-year renewals. The facility use and utilities may be provided at no or reduced cost during the first year, with the contractor responsible for rent and utilities thereafter. Offerors must submit a business plan demonstrating financial sustainability and a quality improvement plan aiming for a high-quality designation. Proposals must be submitted electronically via BidNet Direct. Mandatory documents include a Letter of Transmittal, New Mexico Employees Health Coverage Form, Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form, Conflict of Interest and Debarment/Suspension Form, and Statement of Confidentiality. The proposal evaluation will be based on experience, qualifications, licensing history, program quality, staffing, business plan, and references, with a 100-point scale. New Mexico resident businesses may receive preference points.
The deadline to submit proposals is June 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM Mountain Time. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.
The bid notice does not explicitly detail payment terms for the contractor. However, it states that the contractor will be responsible for all family billing, collections, payment plans, subsidies, and parent account management. The contractor will also be responsible for rent and utilities starting in Year 2.
The contract shall be awarded to the offeror whose proposal is most advantageous, taking into consideration the evaluation factors set forth in the RFP, which include experience, qualifications, licensing history, program quality, staffing, business plan, and references.
Offerors must demonstrate experience operating licensed child care programs, have a strong ECECD compliance history, a viable business plan, and a qualified staffing plan. Specific qualifications for staff, including background checks and training, are also required.
The procurement code imposes civil and criminal penalties for its violation. In addition, New Mexico criminal statutes impose felony penalties for bribes, gratuities, and kickbacks.
The bid notice does not mention a mandatory or optional site visit for potential offerors.
The bid notice does not require the submission of samples.
Any bidder or offeror who is aggrieved in connection with a solicitation or award of a contract may protest to the purchasing department within fifteen (15) calendar days after knowledge of the facts or occurrences giving rise to the protest.
Risks of disqualification include late submissions, failure to submit mandatory documents, failure to adhere to communication protocols, failure to meet mandatory requirements, and providing erroneous disclosures.
