RFB-758-2600000675-3 | Courier Service for Newborn Screening Samples

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is seeking a contractor to provide daily courier services for the transport of newborn screening dried blood spot samples from 46 birthing hospitals, 12 health departments, and a correctional facility to the Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services in Frankfort. The contract is structured as a master agreement with a one-year base term and four optional two-year renewal periods, though the state retains no obligation to purchase estimated volumes and will issue task orders as needed. Services include next-morning delivery by 7:00 AM EST Monday through Saturday, with pickups occurring daily except on certain holidays. All specimens are classified as Biological Substance Category B, with occasional Category A infectious materials requiring strict compliance with hazardous materials regulations including 49 CFR Subtitle B Chapter 1 Subchapter C and Kentucky Administrative Regulation 200 KAR 5:330. Packaging must use state-supplied envelopes, secure sealing, and temperature-controlled carry cases, with vehicles equipped with spill kits and PPE. Delivery is F.O.B. destination, freight prepaid, with the contractor responsible for all freight charges and vehicle maintenance using new, current-model equipment. The evaluation and award process is strictly price-driven, with 80% of the total score based on the monthly price for scheduled pickups and 20% for on-demand urgent deliveries, using a Best Value—Ranking Approach rather than Lowest Price Technically Acceptable. Bidders must submit detailed pricing for both commodity lines via the state’s eProcurement portal, with no paper submissions permitted. Compliance with Kentucky-specific statutes is mandatory, including submission of a Federal Employer Identification Number, Kentucky Tax Registration Form 10A100, and a Required Affidavit for Bidders. Foreign entities must provide a Certificate of Authority from the Kentucky Secretary of State, and all contractors must disclose any violations of state tax, labor, or workers’ compensation laws within the past five years. Insurance requirements include a minimum $1,000,000 combined single limit liability coverage with the Finance and Administration Cabinet named as additional insured. Additional requirements include nondiscrimination and affirmative action adherence, prohibition of boycotts involving Kentucky, restrictions on lobbying by disqualified individuals, disclosure of any generative AI usage in performance of contract work, and full accessibility compliance under Section 504 and Section 255. Proposals must be submitted electronically prior to the July 20, 2026 deadline in Word, Excel, or PDF format, and all contract administration, invoicing, and payment