Bus Ticketing Services

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Corrections is soliciting bids for Bus Ticketing Services through Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2600000518. This procurement seeks a qualified vendor to provide bus tickets at fair market value for offenders on probation, parole, or other supervised release throughout Kentucky, with electronic ticketing preferred and same-day service capability required. Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience providing similar services within the United States and must be capable of fulfilling ticket requests typically within three business days of release. The evaluation will be based on best value criteria, with 100 points allocated to the discount percentage offered off standard ticket prices and a pass/fail qualification requirement for vendor experience; the bidder offering the highest percentage discount receives maximum points, with other bidders scored proportionally. Pricing must remain valid for a minimum of sixty calendar days following the May 5, 2026 bid due date and must exclude federal excise taxes and Kentucky sales or use tax, with price increases prohibited during the first contract year and only permitted thereafter with written justification citing industry-wide changes. Written vendor questions must be submitted by April 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET, with bids due electronically through the eProcurement system by May 5, 2026 at 1:30 PM ET. The initial contract period begins July 1, 2026 or from the award date if later, with four optional two-year renewal periods available subject to mutual written approval.

The procurement considers reciprocal preference for Kentucky resident bidders, preferences for Kentucky Correctional Industries, and preferences for qualified bidders as defined in KAR 200 5:410. Vendors must comply with mandatory affidavit requirements under Kentucky Revised Statutes 45A.110 and 45A.115, attesting to campaign finance law compliance and providing documentation of resident bidder status, qualified bidder status as a nonprofit corporation, or qualified nonprofit agency status for individuals with severe disabilities. Prior to award, vendors must provide proof of required insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. All bids must be submitted as "Group All," meaning vendors must bid all line items to be considered responsive, and vendors must be pre-registered in the Commonwealth eProcurement System prior to submission. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the solicitation documents, with compensation structured instead as a percentage discount off standard ticket prices. The Finance and Administration Cabinet reserves the right to request supporting documentation for any claimed status and may disqualify bidders or terminate contracts for failure to provide such documentation.