ACA Recruiting Coordinator

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Military Affairs, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for up to four Recruiting Coordinators to support the Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy (ACA), a program serving at-risk youth ages 15.5 to 18 years old. This is a personal service contract procured by Elliott County for services to be delivered statewide across assigned regions throughout Kentucky, with primary responsibility for the ACA campus located in Harlan. The selected contractors will perform recruiting, mentoring coordination, data entry, and cadet support services, with key deliverables including recruitment of at least 100 willing participants annually per coordinator, conducting in-person and virtual interviews, maintaining family communication, assisting with cadet transport, and planning outreach events across assigned regions (Region I covering Eastern Kentucky counties including Harlan, Pike, and Floyd; Region II covering Northern Kentucky counties including Kenton, Boyd, and Greenup). Contractors must complete approximately 140 hours per month of work and travel to the ACA campus in Harlan and other locations as required for training and events. Applicants must possess a minimum of five years of recruiting experience with youth and submit technical proposals including resume qualifications and writing samples. Evaluation will be based on technical merit (100 points) and cost proposal (60 points), with oral presentations potentially required for the top four ranked vendors worth an additional 25 points, for a maximum of 185 total possible points. Proposals are due by 3:30 PM Eastern Time on May 22, 2026, with no bidders' conference scheduled. The anticipated initial contract term is July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with renewal options for up to two additional two-year periods subject to approval by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee.

This procurement is subject to standard state compliance requirements, and contractors must obtain and maintain current background screening through the Kentucky Applicant Registry and Employment Screening (KARES) prior to starting work with renewal required every five years. All contractors must comply with nondiscrimination provisions, conflict-of-interest laws, campaign finance regulations, and artificial intelligence usage policies applicable to Commonwealth contracts. No specific funding amount or budget range is explicitly stated in the RFP documentation provided, though compensation includes both service fees and reimbursement for authorized travel expenses, with the cost proposal form serving as the pricing submission template. The RFP documentation does not identify any set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, incumbent contractors, or restricted bidder categories, indicating this is an open procurement opportunity. Payment will be made within thirty working days of invoice receipt upon successful completion of services and submission of required documentation, including monthly invoices detailing miles traveled, key daily tasks, hours worked, and any authorized expenses. Interested vendors should submit complete proposals including cost proposals and technical qualifications by the stated deadline to be considered for award.