Certification Exam Validation Services

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Water, is requesting competitive proposals for full psychometric exam validation services for five levels of Kansas Water Supply Operator Certification, with bids due September 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. CST. No pre-bid conference is scheduled.

Bidders must have a minimum of five years of continuous active participation in the applicable industry and must demonstrate experience with scientifically based, legally defensible certification examinations, job and task analysis, psychometrics, exam question writing, passing score evaluations, and subject matter expert facilitation. Mandatory bidder registration with the State of Kansas must be approved before the bid closing date.

The scope encompasses conducting a job analysis, developing need-to-know criteria, developing and coordinating question review processes, and conducting exam workshops across five certification levels: Small System, Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV. KDHE will provide subject matter experts on a voluntary basis, existing exam questions, and meeting coordination support.

The contract term runs three years from award through December 31, 2029, with award anticipated by December 31, 2026. Deliverables are due by January 31, 2027, and must be shipped to KDHE at 1000 SW Jackson Street, Room 570, Topeka, Kansas 66612-1368. Pricing must be submitted separately from technical proposals and should include all costs associated with job analysis, question development and validation, exam development, and pass score determination for each certification level, with a total cost calculated for all five levels. Payment terms are Net 30 days via electronic funds transfer.

Bidders may claim Kansas Bidder Preference Program categories, including Certified Business or Disabled Veteran Owned Business preferences, if supported by required documentation. Bidders must obtain a current Tax Clearance Certificate from the Kansas Department of Revenue and submit it with their bid response. Questions requesting clarification must be submitted via email in Microsoft Word format to Procurement Officer Lily Lundy (lily.lundy@ks.gov) by close of business Monday, September 7, 2026. Bids must be submitted via email to procurement@ks.gov or by courier with separate sealed envelopes for technical and cost proposals.