# Head Start in State Systems Sole Source Award Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/da4fdab18e4f404093ff4189ecbaf662 - Notice type: Special notice - Status: Closed. Deadline was October 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT - Department: Department of Health and Human Services - Agency: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources - Contracting office: Omas Strategic Buying Center - HHS Mission (7571MN) - NAICS: 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services - Product or service code: R499 Other Professional Services - Place of performance: Washington, District of Columbia - County: District of Columbia (FIPS 11001). https://abierto.us/counties/district-of-columbia-dc-11001 - City: Washington. https://abierto.us/cities/washington-dc-1150000 - First posted: September 29, 2026 - Last posted: September 30, 2026 - SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/967feb5514924e5aa54832d51cca4eb3/view ## Description This requirement was awarded through task order 47QRAA-20D-001M/7571MN26F80105 This requirement will support the generation and dissemination of research and/or evaluation that builds on the Financing Early Care and Education (ECE) Study task order (47QRAA-20D-001M/ 140D0422F0154). The primary objective is to generate and disseminate evidence pertaining to the financing of early care and education programs that meet child, family, and community needs. Building on data collected under the prior contract, this project will identify and elevate strategies used to align Head Start programs within state funding contexts to reduce administrative burden and expand the reach of ECE and Head Start funding. The research will focus on how Head Start programs operate within state systems and highlight effective strategies states have used to integrate or build upon Head Start funding within their broader early childhood systems. The project will also examine how efforts to streamline licensing and regulatory requirements, workforce standards, and supports for quality and technical assistance across funding streams can reduce burden, improve program efficiency, increase parental access to ECE, and support child and family outcomes. This requirement will build on prior efforts to identify and elevate financing approaches for states that most effectively align funding streams to both reduce burden and increase the reach of ECE funding. This project will provide ACF with critical evidence to understand how federal early care and education programs can achieve the Agency’s mission and vision of (1) supporting federalism & local leadership by providing actionable insights into how states and localities can leverage Head Start and other federal funding streams for early care and education (ECE) to best meet local needs, (2) promoting quality early learning environments and improved child outcomes by understanding how to leverage existing funding sources to best meet the preferences of families with young children consistent with their unique needs, and (3) promoting work and self-sufficiency by exploring how leveraging funds can expand the availability of ECE services that allow parents to work. ## Attachments - [Sole Source Justification under FAR part 8.4_Redacted.pdf](https://sam.gov/api/prod/opps/v3/opportunities/resources/files/8089659600004730ad868ca25818f1e0/download) ## Open now in the same industry 21 open in NAICS 541611. - DoS INL TPC Urgent and Compelling BPA (PR16359550), due November 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. https://abierto.us/opportunities/pr16359550 - Management Capacity Study (AOCACB26R0052), due November 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. https://abierto.us/opportunities/aocacb26r0052 - What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Online Study Review Guide (OSRG) (4701), due November 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST. https://abierto.us/opportunities/b70cc9105bd949ccbff4ecbb0e4ff976 ## Publications - September 29, 2026: Special notice, due October 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT. Notice da4fdab18e4f404093ff4189ecbaf662. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/da4fdab18e4f404093ff4189ecbaf662/view - September 30, 2026: Special notice, due October 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT. Notice 967feb5514924e5aa54832d51cca4eb3. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/967feb5514924e5aa54832d51cca4eb3/view ## Points of contact - Christopher Poulos, christopher.poulos@hhs.gov --- Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/da4fdab18e4f404093ff4189ecbaf662.