September 28, 2021 Request for Proposals: Shared Services Alliance Trying Together is seeking service-providers to offer human resources and financial services to a diverse mix of 12 child care programs during the pilot year of a Shared Services Alliance. About the Shared Services Alliance Shared Service Alliances are groups of child care programs that come together to network and pay dues in order to achieve economies of scale in purchasing goods and services. Trying Together will help to create a City of Pittsburgh Shared Service Alliance in 2021-2022 that offers services in the areas of marketing, human resources, and financial services. Trying Together is seeking service-providers to offer these services to a diverse mix of 12 childcare programs during the pilot year, roughly November 2021 through November 2022. The objective of a Shared Service Alliance in Child Care is for child care organizations to reduce costs and improve the strength of management and the quality of their services by sharing administrative functions with other organizations that provide the same types of services. Request for Proposals Service providers who participate in the Shared Service Alliance should: understand the business model and context of child care programs be willing to meet child care professionals where they are at in their current business practices offer flexibility and individualized support in their services in order to conveniently support child care programs in completing human resources tasks Human Resources RFP Trying Together is seeking a human resources service-provider who will be responsible for assessing the needs of each child care program and will offer the following services to each child care program: Review and update job descriptions for current employees and any current job openings Advertise job openings, screen staff for qualifications and interest, schedule and attend interviews, produce offer letters Assist with new-hire orientation and onboarding, as needed Develop or review and update employee handbook and employer policies Maintain personnel files to meet state DHS licensing requirements and Keystone STARS requirements – this includes (but is not limited to) clearances and background checks, required professional development, employee health records, and acknowledgement of receipt of employee handbook Assist with benefits administration, as needed Assist with employee relations issues Assist with employee evaluations, employee improvement plans, and separation or exit interviews (as needed) Interested applicants should review the entire Human Resources RFP. Proposals should be submitted electronically via email to sharedservices@tryingtogether.org by Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Financial Services RFP Trying Together is seeking a financial services service-provider to assess the needs of each child care program and offer up to the following services to each child care program: Develop bookkeeping and records management system for each child care program Input revenues and expenditures into financial software or spreadsheet format Prepare financial reports – monthly and annual Interpret financial reports and flag trends and discrepancies Assist and advise on cash management Advise on adherence to internal controls and methods to enhance operating performance Offer advice regarding opportunities to minimize expenditures and maximize revenues Complete payroll services for providers Complete local tax documents Complete local, state, and federal business and/or individual (for family child care programs) tax returns Produce year-end financials including preparation of W2s and 1099s Provide audit support, as needed Provide supporting financial documents to assist with grant applications, as needed Interested applicants should review the entire Financial Services RFP. Proposals should be submitted electronically via email to sharedservices@tryingtogether.org by Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
