-NOTI- Request for Proposal Number: 2026-1000 TITLE:ECECD Infant and Toddler Contracted Slots Pilot Program PURPOSE The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to solicit responses from currently licensed child care providers, with at least a 3-star FOCUS rating, and Nations, Pueblos, and Tribes who are willing to participate in the FOCUS rating program, and interested in providing contracted slot services in the State of New Mexico. The contracted slots pilot program will prioritize providers serving infants and toddlers with developmental delays, families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and those residing in underserved geographic areas. New Mexico's Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) has developed a contracted slots pilot program to support, expand, and improve infant and toddler care across the state called "contracted slots", along with a streamlined enrollment process known as "presumptive eligibility". Through "contracted slots", ECECD will contract directly with child care providers to reserve slots or spaces for children receiving child care assistance and meet a specific quality standard in exchange for a guarante ed amount of funding each month. The program aims to develop a sustainable contracting approach that increases high-quality child care supply and ensures access for eligible families. The addition of presumptive eligibility allows families to access care right away, based on a quick initial review of their situation, rather than waiting for full approval of their application. Through the contracted slots pilot program, ECECD will enter into agreements with selected child care providers to fund a specific number of infant and toddler slots within the program that will be made available to families that qualify for the Child Care Assistance program. This stable and predictable funding gives child care programs the ability to invest in quality improvements. This model also seeks to improve access to high-quality care for targeted populations. Additionally, this model seeks to simplify the administrative process for families. GENERAL INFORMATION All questions about the contents of the RFP document shall be directed to the Procurement Manager named below. Type "Contracted Slots RFP" in the email subject line. Mario Maes Procurement Manager Telephone: 505-660-7732 E-Mail: ececd.rfp@ececd.nm.gov ISSUANCE The Request for Proposals will be issued on Monday, September 22, 2025. Providers interested in obtaining a copy may access and download the document from the Internet at https://www.nmececd.org/grants-rfps-and-procurement-opportunities/ PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE A pre-proposal conference will be held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Go to website for zoom link. The Pre-Proposal conference will be held 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon . Potential Offeror(s) are encouraged to submit written questions in advance of the conference to the  Procurement Manager, additional written questions may be submitted at the conference. A public log will be kept of the names of potential Offeror(s) that attended the pre-proposal conference. Attendance at the pre-proposal conference is strongly encouraged. PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME Proposals must be received by the Procurement Manager no later than 3:00 P.M. MT on Monday, October 20, 2025 to the email address: ececd.rfp@ececd.nm.gov. Hard copy proposals submitted by mail or hand delivery, or facsimile or other electronic means other than through the email provided above, will not be accepted. Proposals received after the due date and time will not be accepted. No.11684660                                                    Sept. 22, 28, 2025