Childcare Benefit Administration Services for AmeriCorps Volunteers

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE
Childcare Benefit Administration Services for AmeriCorps Volunteers

This is a Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a solicitation, request for proposal (RFP), or request for quotation (RFQ). This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract.

The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research to identify qualified vendors capable of providing comprehensive childcare benefit administration services for eligible AmeriCorps volunteers nationwide. Interested vendors shall submit capability statements demonstrating their ability to perform the required services outlined herein.

Background

AmeriCorps administers a childcare benefit program for eligible AmeriCorps volunteers serving in:

AmeriCorps State and National (ASN)
AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps NCCC
FEMA Corps
Forest Corps

The Government anticipates supporting up to 600 eligible volunteers annually, with an average of approximately 200 450 volunteers utilizing the childcare benefit monthly.

Scope of Services

The Contractor shall provide all personnel, systems, infrastructure, and operational support necessary to administer the AmeriCorps Childcare Benefit Program, including but not limited to:

Intake, review, and processing of volunteer and childcare provider applications
Verification of volunteer and childcare provider eligibility
Customer service support via toll-free telephone, email, secure fax, and web-based systems
Processing monthly childcare provider invoices and payment disbursements
Development, maintenance, and operation of a secure web portal and mobile platform
Monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reporting
Records retention and audit support
Transition support during phase-in and phase-out periods

Required capabilities include:

Experience administering childcare subsidy or childcare benefit programs
Ability to provide a secure, Section 508 compliant web-based platform
FISMA compliance and ability to obtain an Authority to Operate (ATO) prior to production use
Hosting within a FedRAMP-certified environment
Experience handling Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in accordance with Federal requirements
Ability to process EFT/ACH payments to childcare providers
Ability to provide English and Spanish customer service support
Ability to meet required service-level timelines for application processing and payments

Anticipated Contract Information

PSC: R499 Support Services (Other)
NAICS: 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

The Government anticipates a contract consisting of:

One (1) 12-month base period
Four (4) 12-month option periods
A 90-day transition period

Capability Statement Submission Requirements

Interested vendors shall submit a capability statement that clearly demonstrates their ability to provide the required services. Capability statements shall include, at a minimum:

1. Company Name
2. UEI Number
3. CAGE Code
4. Business Size and Socioeconomic Status
5. Relevant experience administering similar childcare benefit or subsidy programs
6. Federal contract experience supporting benefit administration or similar services
7. Experience with secure web-based portals, document intake, and workflow management
8. Experience with FISMA compliance, ATO support, and FedRAMP environments
9. Experience processing recurring provider payments via EFT/ACH
10. Staffing model and qualifications of proposed personnel
11. Ability to support required customer service hours and bilingual support
12. Ability to transition within 90 days without interruption of service
13. Recommended commercial best practices or efficiencies

Capability statements should include sufficient detail for the Government to determine the vendor's capability to perform the requirement.

Submission Instructions

Responses shall not exceed five (5) pages, excluding resumes and past performance references.

Responses shall be submitted electronically in PDF format to:

Jorge L. De Leon jdeleon@americorps.gov

Subject Line: Capability Statement AmeriCorps Childcare Benefit Administration RFI

Submission Deadline: July 3rd, 2026

Questions regarding this notice shall be submitted via email no later than July 1st, 2026

Disclaimer

This RFI is for market research purposes only. The Government will not reimburse vendors for any costs associated with preparing or submitting responses. Responses to this notice will be used to assess market capability and to assist in determining acquisition strategy, including the potential for small business set-aside decisions.