Bead section 106 historic preservation services

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Office of Broadband Development, is soliciting proposals through an RFP (082 2600000317) for Section 106 Historic Preservation Services to support the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The procurement seeks a qualified cultural resource management contractor to provide Section 106 consultation services for 91 approved BEAD projects totaling approximately $1.1 billion in infrastructure deployment across Kentucky. The contractor will be responsible for preparing literature and records reviews compliant with Kentucky State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) policies, conducting Section 106 assessments, managing multiple projects simultaneously, coordinating with federal and state agencies, and monitoring environmental and historic preservation (EHP) compliance throughout project lifecycles. Vendors must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards in history, archeology, or architectural history, with mandatory proof of appropriate education and experience. The technical proposal is evaluated on a maximum of 550 points, covering project approach and methodology, work plan, project schedule, outcome and performance measurement, risks and mitigation, deliverables, previous experience with similar linear facility projects (with Kentucky experience preferred), and demonstrated expertise in the National Historic Preservation Act and relevant federal, state, and local regulations. The cost proposal carries a maximum of 400 points, with the lowest total cost receiving the maximum score, and oral presentations may be required for the top three vendors, evaluated on a maximum of 250 points. Key deadlines include a mandatory offeror's conference on March 9, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time, written questions due by March 9, 2026, the Commonwealth's response to questions anticipated by March 13, 2026, and proposals due by March 23, 2026, at 4:30 PM Eastern Time.

The RFP does not specify any particular set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to specific types of organizations or disadvantaged enterprises. The initial contract term runs from April 14, 2026, through June 30, 2026, with the Commonwealth reserving the right to renew for up to two additional two-year periods through June 30, 2028, pending approval by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee. The cost proposal must cover an 11-week contract through the biennium ending June 30, 2026, plus a two-year renewal period, with vendors submitting an average hourly rate multiplied by total hours, plus authorized expenses such as travel and lodging. Commercial General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Professional Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 per claim, and Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 combined single limit (if applicable) are required. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service System, and vendors must be registered in this system prior to submission.