Appalachian Challenge Academy AMP

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Military Affairs issued Request for Proposal (RFP 095 1900000081) on August 29, 2018, seeking qualified contractors to fill two Admissions, Mentoring, and Placement (AMP) Coordinator positions for the Appalachian Challenge Academy located in Elliott County. The primary objective is to recruit and support at-risk youth ages 16-19 through the Academy's mentoring and placement programs. Each AMP Coordinator will be responsible for recruiting 50-60 accepted ChalleNGe applicants annually, conducting interviews, maintaining networks with referral sources including courts and schools, managing parent and guardian communications, facilitating cadet transportation, recruiting and interviewing mentors, planning outreach events, and assisting with post-residential placement options. Coordinators must commit approximately 140 hours per month with considerable in-state travel required. Qualified candidates must demonstrate a minimum of five years of recruiting experience and possess significant expertise and qualifications in youth services. Proposals were required to be submitted by 1:00 PM Eastern Time on September 12, 2018, in three sealed parts including a technical proposal, cost proposal, and proprietary information, each with three marked originals and three marked thumb drives. The evaluation criteria weighted previous recruiting experience at 25 points, qualifications and expertise in youth services at 75 points, and cost at 60 points. The anticipated contract term runs from October 15, 2018 through June 30, 2020, with Commonwealth renewal rights for up to two additional two-year periods subject to Secretary and Legislative Research Commission approval.

The solicitation accommodates Kentucky resident bidder preferences and qualified bidder preferences as provided under KRS 45A.490 and related statutes. No incumbent vendors or current contractors were identified in the solicitation documents. The cost proposal should include all expenses the contractor may incur, with travel reimbursement provided in accordance with state government travel regulations; however, no specific award value or budget range was disclosed in the procurement notice. The contract is subject to Kentucky Model Procurement Code regulations, Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee oversight for amounts exceeding $10,000, and standard personal service contract terms including 30-day cancellation rights, funding contingency provisions, and compliance with Kentucky civil rights and ethics statutes.