First 5 Orange County has released the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the Request for Qualifications for consultant services for 2026, to seek qualified individuals and/or firms with demonstrated leadership and experience for project management, evaluation, operational support, and on-call special project services.
If a firm is selected to be included on the roster of qualified consultants, will that limit their ability to respond to future RFPs from F5OC?
No. Firms or individuals placed on our qualified list are not restricted from applying for any other request for proposal (or applications) issued by First 5 OC.
Is there a requirement that applicants be local to Orange County? If not, is there a preference for local applicants?
There is no requirement for applicants to be local and there is no preference placed.
Under a section there are sub-sections. For example, under project management there are two subsections: Legislative Outreach and Graphic Design. If we are only interested in one, can we still submit under the overall category of Project Management or can we designate graphic design?
Yes, submit under the general category of project management.
What is the anticipated term for selected consultants?
We anticipate that this RFQ list will stay active for 5 years with annual updates where providers can be added and existing consultants can provide updates.
Can we propose base rates for 2026 with annual increases in rates?
Yes.
Expanded Reference—the instructions indicate: “provide an expanded reference narrative for one project in each subject matter area listed on your checklist”. If we are selecting only one subject matter expertise (Data Analysis, Evaluation and Focus Groups), could the expanded reference include multiple clients/projects that represent different sub-areas within that subject matter (e.g., one engagement focused on program assessment and another focused on racial equity data analysis), or is there a requirement that the expanded reference be limited to a single client/project when only one subject matter area is selected? One reason for this question is that the RFQ requests “compensation history, which will be used to justify the requested hourly rate/compensation rate.” My rate for First 5 Orange County is significantly lower than my rate for comparable work with other clients, so I would like to understand whether it is appropriate to reference additional client engagements
Yes, you may reference additional client arrangements within the Expanded Reference section. Additionally, multiple references (clients and projects) can be referenced that represent different sub areas.
Focus Groups—Please confirm that for “expertise in conducting focus groups in multiple languages”, includes coordinating the focus groups, developing the focus group protocol (questions to ask), and hiring a facilitator to conduct the focus group in the target language. I have extensive experience conducting focus groups and analyzing data. However, I work / subcontract out with facilitators to conduct the interviews in the target language rather than myself facilitating in the non-English target language.
Yes, the subcontracting relationship is allowable.
Is a fiscally sponsored organization eligible to apply? And if so, do we apply as the entity or as the fiscal sponsor?
Yes, fiscally sponsored organizations may apply. Please apply under the fiscal sponsor with the qualifications and expanded references indicating the expertise of the project that is fiscally sponsored.
The RFQ states that applicants should provide an expanded reference narrative for one project in each subject matter area listed on the checklist, with no more than four pages total. I would like to confirm whether a single project may address multiple subject matter areas, as long as each selected area is clearly demonstrated, or if a distinct project is required for each subject matter area selected.
Yes, a single project can address multiple areas of expertise.
If we provide our own consulting services but are also a fiscal sponsor of organizations that provide early childhood services, such as multilingual community engagement and professional development, should we submit a consolidated submission inclusive of multiple organizations and individuals? Or should each organization submit individually?
A single, consolidated submission ”rom ’he fiscal sponsor that includes the qualifications, roles, and experience of the sponsored organizations and individuals as part of one proposed team is acceptable. Separate submissions from any organization or individual seeking to contract directly with First 5 OC should be submitted independently under the RFQ.
Is it acceptable to use a First 5 Orange County project, and therefore, a First 5 Orange County staff member, as one of the references?
Yes, applicants may use a First 5 OC funded project and staff member as a reference.
Is there a page limit for the Qualifications section?
No, there is not a page limit to the Qualifications section.
The RFQ states that applicants “should provide a resume, curriculum vitae, or statement of firm qualifications outlining relevant work and/or consulting history [emphasis added].” Is it acceptable to submit resumés and a statement of qualifications?
Yes, applicants can submit both.
In regards to Disclosures, would First 5 Orange County like these listed on the bottom of Attachment A or should this be a separate page and if so where would it be placed in the submission packet?
Our preference is to have them listed at the bottom of Attachment 1 but if more space is needed you may submit a separate page. Please clearly label it Disclosures.