Audiology Supplies

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Cabinet for Health & Family Services, issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2400000458 to establish a master agreement for the procurement of audiology supplies serving pediatric patients aged 0-21 years across eleven clinic locations of the Office of Children with Special Health Care Needs (OCSHCN) throughout Kentucky. The solicitation encompasses over 600 line items including hearing aid components, earmolds, tubing, cleaning and maintenance equipment, diagnostic tools, electrodes, impression materials, and accessories from specified manufacturers such as Welch Allyn, 3M, Loctite, Westone, Gemoro, Rayovac, and Wagner, with estimated annual purchase quantities ranging from 1 to 110 units per item. The contract will be awarded on a best value basis using measurable criteria weighted at 90 points for price (lowest bidder receives maximum points) and 10 points for delivery performance measured in working days, with pricing quoted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis excluding federal excise tax and Kentucky sales or use tax. The solicitation was released on February 23, 2024, with written vendor questions due by March 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET, and the bid closing date established at March 13, 2024, at 1:30 PM ET. Bidders must submit responses electronically through the Commonwealth eProcurement system and must be registered in the Vendor Self Service System prior to submission, with all bids submitted on the standardized Bid Sheet (Attachment C) and entry of $0.01 as unit prices in the electronic bid system. The resulting master agreement will establish an initial contract period of one year from the date of award with an option to extend for four additional one-year renewal periods subject to written approval by all parties. Vendors must submit all required affidavits, including the Annual Affidavit for Bidders Offerors and Contractors affirming compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws, Kentucky Tax Registration Form 10A100, and certificates of authority as applicable.

The procurement includes reciprocal preference provisions for Kentucky resident bidders as defined in KRS 45A.490-494, and qualified bidder preferences for Kentucky Correctional Industries (receiving 20 percent preference bonus points) and certified nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities meeting specified employment thresholds (receiving 15 percent preference bonus points). Bidders claiming resident bidder status must demonstrate authorization to transact business in Kentucky and provide documentation of one year of prior Kentucky corporate income tax filings, unemployment insurance fund payments, and maintained workers' compensation policies. The Commonwealth reserves the right to request supporting documentation for either status claim, with failure to provide documentation resulting in bidder disqualification or contract termination. Vendor performance in the last 12 months will be considered in award determinations, and vendors with poor performance records may be deemed non-responsible and ineligible for award. Prices must remain firm for the first twelve months of the contract, with price increases permitted thereafter only if based on industry-wide price changes supported by documentation and submitted with thirty days' written notice. The Commonwealth reserves the right to cancel the contract with thirty days' notice and may extend contract use to other state agencies with vendor consent. The procurement documents do not specify an overall contract award value or budget range for the audiology supplies master agreement.