Books, Non-Library Catalog Discount

Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) in Lexington, Kentucky, is issuing Request for Proposals (RFP) 53-25 to establish a catalog discount contract for non-library books intended for classroom use, specifically targeting supplemental literacy materials for grades Pre-K through 5. The RFP seeks vendors capable of providing books aligned with the Science of Reading methodology, with proposals due by July 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. The contract will be effective from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026, with potential renewals for four additional one-year terms. Proposals will be evaluated using a 1000-point system, with 500 points allocated to cost proposal (discount percentage for new and used books) and 500 points to technical proposal, considering factors such as vendor location, local sales representation, book availability and quality, proposal quality, and added value. Key vendor qualifications include maintaining a large book inventory and preferably having a dedicated sales representative. Delivery expectations include free shipping for items weighing 70 pounds or less, with deliveries accepted at the FCPS warehouse during specified hours.

The RFP does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The district reserves the right to award multiple contracts to different vendors and emphasizes that this is not a line-item bid, meaning no commitment to purchasing predetermined book quantities. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the solicitation suggests a preference for vendors with extensive book inventories and the ability to provide materials matching the example book list in Attachment A. Vendors whose proposed books do not align closely with the sample list may receive lower evaluation scores. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the contract's potential five-year duration and the district's comprehensive evaluation criteria indicate a significant procurement opportunity for book vendors specializing in elementary education literacy materials.