Feasibility Study

Washington Gorge Action Programs/Klickitat County Childcare Committee

Request for Proposals for a Feasibility Study regarding Establishment of Childcare

Providers in the Goldendale, Washington area.

  • Released November 30, 2020

  • Proposal responses due December 8, 2020 by 4:30 p.m.

  • Project awarded December 17th, 2020

  • Project begins January 1, 2021

Project Overview

Washington Gorge Action Programs, serving as the fiscal sponsor for the Klickitat County

Childcare Committee, is seeking a qualified independent consultant for the purpose of

conducting a feasibility study for our organization. KCDD is seeking to assess, identify and

prioritize childcare needs in the Goldendale and surrounding area of rural Klickitat County in

order to develop a plan to address those needs. We are dedicated to supporting a communitywide

effort that provides analysis and direction in order to evaluate the potential of developing a

successful and sustainable childcare system for our local families and children.

We are looking for an individual, agency or organization experienced with initiating and

conducting a feasibility study with the ability to become knowledgeable of the current childcare

environment in and around the rural City of Goldendale, Washington. Approximately $15,000 is

available to conduct the study. The study should include an assessment of childcare needs, gaps

and opportunities within the Goldendale area, identification of potential funding streams to

develop and maintain a childcare business; local, state and federal regulatory requirements for

childcare settings (centers and home-based provider, description of barriers that deter successful

formation of licensed childcare providers and recommendations on a strategy to determine

future movements to addressing local childcare needs and requirements.

A project budget, timeline and action items should be clearly identified for the study.

Organization Background/Overview

Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action

organization located in Bingen, Washington. The work WAGAP does changes people's lives,

embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes the Columbia Gorge a better

place to live. WAGAP is a multipurpose human service organization dedicated to helping

individuals, families, and communities address basic human needs. We help individuals and

families by providing opportunities while supporting their efforts toward self-sufficiency. We help

communities by identifying needs and finding resources. Our services include emergency

shelters, housing support, food security through community food banks, domestic violence and

sexual assault prevention, youth programs and financial support for those affected by COVID-19

or other emergency situations. We also serve as fiscal sponsors for a number of other non-profits.

Klickitat County Childcare Committee is a group of concerned local individuals who have come

together to address the critical lack of childcare services in and around the Goldendale area. They

have been working for over a year to address and promote awareness of childcare needs within

the community. Supported by a planning grant recently awarded by the Washington State

Department of Commerce, KCCC is looking to determine potential solutions and answers to the

issue.

Study Objectives

The purpose of this feasibility study is to investigate the potential for enhancing access to quality,

affordable childcare for families living in and around rural northeastern Klickitat County in

Washington State, including the City of Goldendale and surrounding area, and to determine if

investing additional time, resources and funds in creating a childcare center would be a

sustainable and cost-effective project. There is approximately $15,000 budgeted for this work.

Proposal Requirements

Agency or Organization Information

Provide your firm’s name, address, website and telephone number.

Include name, title and e-mail address of the individual who will serve as firm’s primary contact.

Include a brief description and history of your firm.

Experience and References

Proposals should include a list of 3 references for similar studies that your firm has completed.

Please include contact names and information.

Project Approach

Briefly explain your project approach, style and process.

Schedule and Timeline

Proposals should include the proposed work schedule, timeline and deliverables resulting from

the feasibility study. The contract is expected to begin January 1, 2021 and be completed by June

15th, 2021.

Cost

Proposals must include the estimated cost for all work related to tasks and deliverables outlined

in the Schedule and Timeline.

Required Deliverables

A Feasibility Study Report containing the following information:

  • Market Analysis: number of current childcare businesses and/or pre-schools (licensed

  • centers and Family, Friends & Neighbor providers) located within the Goldendale area; if

  • participants in Early Achievers, number of children attending, rates charged and hours of

  • operation.

  • Census and economic data regarding demographics and income levels of local residents

  • Current population of children 12 and under in the Goldendale area

  • Childcare needs assessment for local families, including unmet needs (infant care,

  • evenings, weekends) and barriers to access (location, cost, hours, etc.)

  • Identification of major employers in the area

  • Potential funding sources for building/renovating a childcare center

  • Washington State subsidy rates

  • Funding sources for new home based childcares

  • Economic impact of lack of childcare availability

  • Analysis of Childcare Licensing requirements (local, state, federal)

  • Estimated costs and timelines of establishing and operating a childcare center and a home

  • based childcare within state licensing requirements.

  • Sample operational budget for 1 year for childcare center

  • Conclusions and recommendations

  • References and Resources

Submit To / Project Contact

Please submit your proposal to

Leslie Naramore, Executive Director, Washington Gorge Action Programs

115 West Steuben Street, PO Box 805, Bingen, Washington 98605.

Email: leslie@wagap.org.

Telephone: (509) 493-2662 Toll Free (800) 755-1192

Proposal Rejection and Waiver of Informalities

  • This RFP does not obligate Washington Gorge Action Programs to award a contract or complete the proposed project, and to reserve the right to cancel this RFP if it is considered to be in its best interest.

  • WAGAP shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by a firm in preparing, submitting, or presenting its response to the RFP.

  • Any proposal may be withdrawn up until the date and time set for opening of the proposals.

  • WAGAP reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive minor irregularities in any proposal.

  • WAGAP reserves the right to request clarification of information submitted and to request additional information from any proposer.

  • WAGAP reserves the right to award any contract to another proposer, if the successful proposer does not execute a contract within five (5) days after the acceptance of the proposal.

  • WAGAP reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFP

  • WAGAP reserves the right to select a proposal for contract negotiation other than the one with the lowest cost

  • WAGAP reserves the right to negotiate any aspect of the proposal with any vendor

  • WAGAP reserves the right to terminate negotiations and prepare and release a new RFP

  • WAGAP reserves the right to terminate negotiations and take such action as deemed appropriate

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