Each Child. Every Community.

REQUEST

FOR

PROGRAM EVALUATION CONSULTATION SERVICES

For

Durham’s Partnership for Children

(DPFC)

1201 S. Briggs Avenue, Suite 100

Durham, NC 27703

DEADLINE for SUBMISSION:

July 11, 2025

PROGRAM EVALUATION

Purpose:

Durham’s Partnership for Children is interested in purchasing consultation services to support the program evaluation of the Smart Start, NC Pre-k and Early Head Start services in Durham County. The information generated from this evaluation will be used to inform funding decisions by the Board of Directors in future years, and to inform other policymakers and funders about the needs of young children and their families in Durham County.

Background: 

Durham’s Partnership for Children is a non-profit agency responsible for implementing the Smart Start initiative (SS), NC Prekindergarten (NC Pre-k) and Early Head Start (EHS) in Durham County. The Partnership serves as a planner and funder of community services that are aimed at ensuring young children (ages 0-5) arrive at school healthy and ready to succeed. The majority of our resources are targeted to early childhood education, child health, early intervention, and family support. See our website, www.dpfc.net for more information

Given our limited staffing resources for evaluation, DPFC is interested in establishing a contract for outside program evaluation services. The successful consultant will work closely with the Data Analyst Program Coordinator and Program department staff.

Scope of Work:

The Partnership is interested in hiring consultant services for the following program evaluation services for FY 25-26.

• Ongoing evaluation consultation services as needed, may include:
  • Provide coaching, technical assistance and training to DPFC staff.
  • Review Smart Start logic models and make recommendations to staff for any improvements needed.
  • Review new Smart Start reporting requirements and provide assistance.

• Reporting Templates and Progress Reports

All Smart Start partners are required to submit outputs and outcomes. The consultant will review each of these report templates and make recommendations to staff for any improvements needed.

• Annual Report

Each year, the Partnership requires all Smart Start programs to submit a final evaluation report in July. The consultant will review the final reports and prepare a summary report.

• Community Indicators

The Partnership uses community data indicators to assess community needs and in program planning and decision making. The consultant will collaborate with the Data Analyst Program Coordinator to pull together publicly available data and prepare a summary report on indicators of child health and well-being.  Community Indicators Summary will need to align with the guidance from funders including Early Head Start community assessment update guidelines.

• Organizational Evaluation Scan

The consultant will do a scan of available program data across programs (SS, EHS and NC Prek) and make recommendations on how DPFC can best compile, coordinate and use its data for assessing needs, informing program planning and supporting decision making.

 Bid Content and Format:

The applicant should submit a written proposal for services that addresses the following information:

• Name of Agency/Consultant Services
• Address
• Name, title, mailing address, and authorized agent for the agency or firm submitting the bid
• Agency qualifications for this work, including prior work in this area. Include a statement of prior Smart Start program evaluation work. Include resumes for all staff, consultants, or subcontractors providing work under this bid.
• Describe method/approach for the scope of work outlined above including a timeline for major activities
• Proposed costs associated with the program evaluation strategies, for each of the components, including hourly/daily rate for ongoing consultation. The budget must identify all personnel associated with the project, and provide line-item detail. If subcontractors are to be used, this must also be included.

 Provide three professional references with all contact information

• Submit a sample of previous work performed, preferably for another Smart Start partnership

 Priority:

Priority will be given to bids that meet all the above specifications. However, any and all bids will be considered.

Timeline: 

The applicant must be able to begin work August 1, 2025.  The contract will be from August 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.

 Deadline for Submission:

All proposals must be received by July 11, 2025 via email toEval RFP 25-26

For Further Information Please Contact:

Kate Irish

Durham’s Partnership for Children

Email:  kate@dpfc.net

Eval RFP 25-26