CHFS DPH-Collection Filter Paper for Newborn Screening Cards

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Cabinet for Health & Family Services Division of Laboratory Services, is soliciting bids for the procurement of 300,000 units of Collection Filter Paper for Newborn Screening Cards through Request for Bid (RFB 758 2600000307). The solicitation seeks multi-part NCR cut sheet forms with specific medical filter paper components designed to collect blood specimens from heel sticks performed on all newborns in Kentucky as part of the expanded newborn screening program under Governor's Senate Bill 24. The forms must meet stringent FDA and CDC requirements, including precise dimensions of 13 inches horizontal by 5 inches vertical, filter paper composition of either Whatman #903 or Ahlstrom 226, 20-pound NCR paper in white and pink, 100-pound white tag backing, 70-pound white bond back leaf with fold-over flap and biohazard emblem, and biologically inert FDA-approved inks with printed unique kit numbers and barcodes. The awarded vendor must be FDA-registered, maintain production in a medical-grade environment, and submit pre-production samples and certificates of analysis confirming pH levels, serum uptake, blood absorption time, and spot diameter specifications within 45 days of award. The bid closing date is January 23, 2026, at 1:30 PM ET, with full delivery of the entire order required by July 1, 2026; written questions were due January 7, 2026, at 1:30 PM ET. Evaluation will be based on best value methodology with price representing 100 points and delivery evaluated as pass/fail criteria, with the lowest responsive bidder receiving maximum points and subsequent bids scored proportionally. This is a one-time award contract with no renewal options, and vendors must submit all bids electronically through the Kentucky eProcurement System and remain valid for 60 days following the bid due date.

Kentucky resident bidders receive reciprocal preference equal to preferences given by the bidder's home state, and qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries, Kentucky Industries for the Blind, and nonprofit agencies serving individuals with severe disabilities receive preference equal to fifteen to twenty percent of maximum points. All bidders must comply with Kentucky tax registration requirements, maintain proof of FDA registration, submit required affidavits regarding resident status and qualified bidder status if applicable, and demonstrate continuous compliance with specified Kentucky statutes regarding taxes, wages, occupational safety, and unemployment and workers' compensation insurance. Pricing must be submitted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, exclusive of federal excise tax and Kentucky sales or use tax, with delivery included in the bid price and all materials shipped to CHFS DPH Division of Laboratory Service located at 100 Sower Boulevard, Suite 204, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Late deliveries will result in penalties of one percent per day deducted from invoices, and the awarded vendor must bear all costs for re-manufacturing if the finished product is contaminated. No pricing structure, set-asides, incumbent vendor information, or specific funding amounts are detailed in the solicitation documents. Interested parties may contact Angie Johnson at 502-564-6194 for additional information.